I Got Mad at Myself for Closing My Eyes
<p>We’ve all been there — you plan on just a short 15-minute shut-eye because you have so much you still have to do, … but the next thing you know, hours have gone by! </p>
<p>At first, I was frustrated that I had slept so long and missed out on getting things done. The dirty dishes were still in the sink and my emails would have to wait. But after shaking off the grogginess, I realized I actually felt quite refreshed and ready to take on the day. </p>
<p>While unplanned long naps can disrupt our productivity, science shows they provide many cognitive benefits. According to the <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/napping" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">National Sleep Foundation,</a> naps:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Improve alertness and performance:</strong> Even just 10–20 minutes can improve alertness by up to 25% and performance on some memory tasks by 10%.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce fatigue and sleepiness:</strong> Longer naps can help reduce fatigue and sleepiness for many hours afterward.</li>
<li><strong>Support creativity:</strong> Naps seem to support creative problem-solving, likely by allowing the brain to make new and interesting connections.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://mscolona.medium.com/the-surprising-benefits-of-the-accidental-nap-a5716492c09d"><strong>Learn More</strong></a></p>