Although college equals freedom, amazing people, and fun times galore, it also means constant sleep deprivation.
With the pre-Thanksgiving exam cram just around the corner, now is a perfect time to learn how to properly take a nap.
Yes, I know you’re rolling your eyes as I speak.
You’re thinking, c’mon, I know how to nap! I learned that in kindergarten. Sure, it was 15 years ago, but how hard can it be, right? Wrong.
There is an actual science behind the nap, including some techniques that you should add to your naptime repertoire.
It’s a commonly known fact that taking a quick snooze lasting around 20 minutes between afternoon classes gives you enough of a boost to help you get through at least a few of those 2 a.m. homework assignments. This is the perennially popular power nap.
But there’s always room for improvement. Thanks to Ririan, a Romanian graduate student who created an online blog called the Ririan Project to help people maximize personal development in their daily lives, it’s super easy to make your daily doze more effective.
Try to set a specific time — either late morning or right after lunch — for the nap. The later the nap, the more likely you are to fall into deep sleep and the groggier you’ll feel afterwards.
Consume something high in calcium and protein an hour or so before the nap. Eating sugary desserts or drinking caffeine beforehand will give you a major energy rush just in time to spoil your slumber.
Total darkness, which stimulates the sleep hormone melatonin, is a plus if possible.
And don’t forget to set an alarm. I slept through my 1 p.m. class two weeks ago because I failed to do so. Make it loud and obnoxious if necessary.
Now you’re almost ready to embark on your napping journey. Need options? Naps come in all shapes and sizes:
1. Nano-napping. Lasts 10 to 20 seconds. Happens frequently in class and on the bus or train. Probably doesn’t do much for you besides getting you a glare from your ticked-off professor.
2. Micro-napping. Usually 2 to 5 minutes. Kind of works like a SlimFast shake for your hunger in that it staves off your sleepiness for a few hours, but it’s not enough for an English paper all-nighter.
3. Mini-napping. Up to 20 minutes. Improves alertness and brain performance.
4. Power-napping. 20 to 25 minutes. Includes the perks of all the other naps, but also improves muscle memory and the ability to retain information. An essential for an exam-cramming marathon.
5. Lazy-man-napping. Can last up to an hour and a half. If you’re trying to recover from several consecutive no-sleep nights, you might not be able to avoid this one!
Sleep doesn’t always have to be the sacrifice for us college students. Give the proper power nap a shot. Let me know how it works for you by commenting below!
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