yesterday i took a nap By: -John Lustig No comments

Yesterday I went with Cheryl for her long run. I couldn't go as far as her long run normally is, so she shortened her run to accommodate me. But, none the less I pushed it and ran farther and faster than I have in a long time and I really felt it the rest of the day. So much in fact that I found myself dozing in a chair while watching Tiger Woods try to hold on to his lead in the BMW. After moving from the chair to the couch I was out for about forty-five minutes. According to this chart, it was a lazy man's nap. It was awesome.

How Long Is A Good Nap?

THE NANO-NAP: 10 to 20 seconds. Sleep studies haven’t yet concluded whether there are benefits to these brief intervals, like when you nod off on someone’s shoulder on the train.

THE MICRO-NAP: two to five minutes. Shown to be surprisingly effective at shedding sleepiness.

THE MINI-NAP: five to 20 minutes. Increases alertness, stamina, motor learning, and motor performance.

THE ORIGINAL POWER NAP: 20 minutes. Includes the benefits of the micro and the mini, but additionally improves muscle memory and clears the brain of useless built-up information, which helps with long-term memory (remembering facts, events, and names).

THE LAZY MAN’S NAP: 50 to 90 minutes. Includes slow-wave plus REM sleep; good for improving perceptual processing; also when the system is flooded with human growth hormone, great for repairing bones and muscles.

10 Benefits of Power Napping, and How to Do It at Personal Development with Ririan Project