Are you tired? If you are – and it’s 28 February – go ahead and take a nap as it’s National Public Sleeping Day.
Today, everyone is encouraged to take a nap on a blanket at the beach, the park, in the movie theatre, on a bus, train or any other public place that may work for you. However, it may not be a good idea to take a nap at your desk during office hours!
There are quite a few different types of naps, each boasting its own benefits – or side effects.
A power nap lasts approximately 10 to 20 minutes and can give you an energy boost to help you through the rest of the day. It will also not leave you feeling drowsy like longer naps tend to do, and will allow you to fall asleep at a decent time at night.
The hangover nap is about 30 minutes long and may leave you feeling loopy and wanting to stay asleep. Although you might snap out of it feeling the same as with a power nap, it may take a bit of effort to feel those benefits.
The brainiac nap lasts about an hour and includes the deepest sleep. You might feel a little grogginess upon waking – much like after a hangover nap – but your ability to recall facts, names and faces will have improved. This type of nap might be the best after a round of studying or before a big test.
The California King nap lasts about an hour and a half and is typically a full cycle of sleep – including rapid eye movement (REM) or a dream stage. This type of nap avoids the side effects of the hangover nap, just as the power nap does, and improves creative thinking and motor memory, but nighttime sleep may become elusive.
Husbands who regularly accompany their wives on lengthy shopping mall trips have been keen on these benefits and are no strangers to public sleeping or the power nap. It may be something the modern, non-napping woman should consider.
Some employers have also begun to recognise the value of a nap with some even offering sleep pods or rooms to their employees. Studies have shown that certain types of naps fuel the brain and recharge the batteries, improving productivity, decreasing health risks and improving morale.
To celebrate today, choose one of these top five public places to sleep, but, before you enjoy your nap, make sure you leave all your valuables at home to avoid any theft during your slumber:
1. A movie theatre showing old, silent movies.
2. The last pew in church – during services.
3. The reference aisle in the library.
4. At the mall in the middle of a work week.
5. Under a tree in a park.
Use #NationalPublicSleepingDay to post on social media.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
