Today’s Resolution: Take a Thoughtful, Restful Nap

It’s Sunday and that’s an excuse to rest. So rest up, would you? According to the Expert’s Guide on Napping, “a nap of 60 minutes improves alertness for up to 10 hours.” However, they do tell you to “limit your nap to 45 minutes or less if you need to spring into action after dozing. Otherwise, you may drift into slow-wave sleep. Waking from this stage results in sleep inertia, that grogginess and disorientation that can last for half an hour or more.” A little nap saves your brain from mental exhaustion, lowers blood pressure and gives your memory a boost. And if you’re into learning more stuff like this, consider Jennifer Ackerman’s Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body which is all about this kind of body-nerdery.