Naps: Good or Bad?

With+teenagers+shift+in+their+circadian+rhythm+leaving+them+for+tired+during+the+day%2C+many+turn+to+naps.+

With teenagers shift in their circadian rhythm leaving them for tired during the day, many turn to naps.

Although it rarely happens, if I do happen to get a day where after school I have nothing planned, I will take a nap for about an hour and a half to two hours at home. Between school and work, I cherish any sleep I can get.

It seems as though, however, no matter how much teenagers sleep, they are always tired.

According to http://drcraigcanapari.com , Craig Canapari MD, who directs the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center says, “This is partially due to a biologic shift in their circadian, or body clock. This means that their natural (physiologic) sleep period is shifting later. That is to say, their bodies want to go to sleep later and get up later.”

So is napping helping or hurting teens?

According to Time Magazine, napping can often a positive activity that boosts productivity—and some colleges are even installing nap rooms to provide teens a place to rest.

Dr. Sara Mednick, a psychologist at the University of California Riverside says, “For some people, naps are as restorative as a whole night of sleep.” More research shows a quick nap can lower stress and recharge your willpower. And napping has also been linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease and inflammation.”

However, Mednick explains that napping has different effects on all people. Some people feel refreshed after a nap, while others wake up feeling like crap, and more tired than before. The reason behind this is unknown; some link it to genetics, but Mednick says there’s natural nappers and unnatural nappers, and this is all due to how deep you fall asleep during a nap. If aren’t used to napping and you fall deep into sleep, you’re more likely to wake up discombobulated and groggy, but if you’re used to napping and you’re mind simply lightly rests, you’ll wake up more refreshed from the break your mind and body just received.

So how does one achieve the perfect nap? K. Aleisha Fetters of motto.time.com says one must sleep in a bed, shut out all light, schedule the nap time early in the day, set the alarm, and sniff lavender. Fetters explains how those who smell lavender while falling asleep fall asleep faster and wake up more alert.

Elli Kollman, a senior at Arrowhead High School says, “I take naps on the days I don’t have work. Normally I nap in my bed for about an hour and a half before dinner with my cat. After a nap, I usually feel refreshed and more motivated to do my homework.”

Kollman says, “Although I take naps and sleep about seven hours at night, my energy level throughout the day is still very low.”

According to the nationwidechildrens.org, the average amount of sleep teens teens receive is around seven hours; however, to function properly, teenagers need around 9 hours.