Children in preschool and kindergarten are allowed to take naps during the day. This is said to benefit their learning capabilities and improve their function in the classroom. The question that many people have is: Why do we stop getting naps throughout the day?

According to The National Sleep Foundation short naps are the best option if you need a short burst of energy, (1-3 hours). If you need a longer burst of energy that’s anywhere from 4-6+ hours, longer naps are recommended. Katrina Wiseman ‘18 is an avid nap taker and believes they have many benefits.

She says “They recharge your brain and help you focus if you need to be up for a long time.” Naps have been proven in many studies to improve mental focusing and mental performance.

The main reason young adults and adults don’t necessarily have naps built into their daily routine is because there is simply not enough time in the day. However, The National Sleep Foundation says that even a 10-15 minute nap can produce hours of energy, if the sleeping environment is ideal. The recommended nap environment is dark, quiet , and somewhere where the napper will not be disturbed.

Naps have also been proven to help people feel better when they are sick. Katrina Wiseman also says that, “Naps help you feel better when you are sick because your body needs more energy because it is trying to fight off germs and your body needs more than the usual amount of energy for that.”

People with anxiety and other mental illnesses say that naps help improve their anxiety and stress level because usually when you wake up from a nap you move on and forget about what was bothering you before you took the nap.

All in all, naps have many benefits. They help you calm down when things are stressful, replenish energy when you are sick, and can even help you after a long day at school, to provide that extra bit of energy needed to push through nightly homework and studying.