napping
Fix
An Expert’s Guide To Napping
3:30AM Adam Pash | There’s nothing like the restorative power of a nap to bolster your energy, mood, and productivity, but if you want to get the most from your naps, there’s plenty of room for improvement. The Guardian examines the best practices for napping, covering everything from optimal nap time (anywhere from 20 to 120 minutes, depending on what you want from it) to the right time for you to take your siesta: To determine the best time to nap, it helps to know your “chronotype”. What time would you get up and go to sleep if you were entirely free to plan your day? If you’re a lark, apt to wake as early as 6am and go to sleep around 9pm or 10pm, you’re going to feel your nap need around 1pm or 1.30 pm. If you’re an owl, preferring to go to bed after midnight or 1am, and to wake around 8am or 9am, your afternoon “sleep gate” will open later, closer to 2.30pm or 3pm. We’ve covered our fair share of napping guides in the past (I’ve always been partial to the caffeine nap), but it’s always nice to get a refresher on the why’s and how’s of nature’s most glorious treat, the nap. Thanks DrewB Update: The Guardian’s napping guide appears to be a mostly text version of the previously mentioned cheat sheet for power naps, but hey—it never hurts to have a refresher. Still, the original cheat sheet version comes complete with great graphics, so I’d recommend checking it out first. Photo by Daveybot. Napping: the expert’s guide [The Guardian] More »
Use Old CDs to Take Better Naps
8:30AM Kevin Purdy | The BBC takes on the topic of power naps, detailing many of the benefits and basic techniques we’ve touched on before—like tensing your muscles and saying “the and sticking to the 20 minute nap. One sleep expert notes one of the best ways to ease yourself into relaxation—listening to albums and mixes you’ve heard many times before: He suggests dusting down old and familiar CDs – new music is no good as you end up concentrating on the lyrics. “You know old albums inside out and don’t have to concentrate. They become pleasant background music.” I’d have to say this holds true for work as well, as I too often find myself jumping away from my tasks with an, “Oh, which album is this from?” What music (or other sounds) get you into the power-nap state? Share your tips in the comments. Are you getting enough? [BBC News via Geeks Are Sexy] More »
