Believe it or not, napping as an adult is not a new trend. In fact, our ancestors used to practice something called “biphasic sleep,” which means they slept twice in a day—once at night and again during the day.
This practice was common in many ancient cultures, including the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. They recognized the importance of taking a break during the day to recharge and refresh their minds and bodies.
However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of a more structured workday, biphasic sleep fell out of favor. It became seen as lazy or unproductive to take a nap during the day, and the idea of a single block of uninterrupted sleep at night became the norm.
But recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in napping, as people recognize the benefits it can provide. Napping has been shown to improve focus and productivity, reduce stress, and even boost creativity.
As adults, we all need to practice self-care, and taking a nap is a form of self-care that we should all prioritize. It’s not about being lazy, it’s about taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally.
Think of it as a little gift you give to yourself, like a spa day, but without having to shell out hundreds of dollars. It’s a chance to hit pause on the chaos of daily life, and just relax and rejuvenate.
Napping can help lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and boost your mood. It’s like a little mental health break that can make a big difference in how you feel. And let’s not forget about the physical benefits—napping can help improve your immune system, lower your blood pressure, and even improve your memory.
So, instead of feeling guilty about taking a nap, embrace it as an act of self-care. It’s not about being unproductive, it’s about recognizing that your body and mind need a break.
So, why not take a cue from our ancestors and embrace the power of napping? It’s not just a luxury, it’s a way to take care of ourselves, both physically and mentally. And who knows, maybe we’ll start to see a return to biphasic sleep as people begin to recognize the benefits of taking a nap during the day.
Napping is not a new trend, but rather a practice that has been recognized for centuries as a way to refresh and recharge our minds and bodies. So, the next time you’re feeling sluggish or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to take a nap. You’ll be joining a long line of historical nappers who recognized the importance of taking a break during the day.
