A nap is a short period of sleep, usually in the day time. Naps are frequently taken when one becomes drowsy during the day or otherwise wants to feel awake at a later period of time that day. They are also often frequently taken by small children.
Scientists have raised questions as to whether or not napping is beneficial. Gregory Belenky, MD, Research Professor and Director of the Sleep and Performance Research Center at Washington State University, suggests that naps can make up for lost sleep during the night. However, prolonged naps, those exceeding 30 minutes, could cause sleep inertia which causes the subject to be groggy after the nap. Naps can also be helpful to one's alertness when 30-60 minutes long.
Naps are not recommended for those suffering from insomnia or depression.
Naps are recommended for those suffering from illnesses, such as the flu.
There are many benefits to napping. Napping can help refresh your mind from a tiring day. According to Camile and William Anthony, authors of The Art of Napping at Work (Larson Publication,1999), a 20-minute nap can improve your overall alertness, boost your mood, and increase productivity. He also says that a post-nap can last for several hours. In addition, your heart may reap benefits from napping. In a six-year study of Greek adults, researchers found that men who took naps at least three times a week had a 37 percent lower risk of heart-related death.
A siesta (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈsjesta]) is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those where the weather is warm. The word siesta is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta - "the sixth hour" (counting from dawn, therefore noon, hence "midday rest").
Dentist and pharmacist sharing similar business hours in the island of Lipsi, Greece. The concept of a midday nap is also prominent in other tropical or subtropical countries, where the afternoon heat dramatically reduces work productivity. The Washington Post of February 13, 2007 reports at length on studies in Greece that indicate that those who nap have less risk of heart attack.
In South Asia, the idea of a post-lunch nap is common, and the idea of going to sleep after a light massage with mustard oil to induce drowsiness was very popular before industrialization. It was also very popular to consume a light snack during this ritual; it was thought that this practice would make one a better person. In Bangladesh and Indian Bengal, the word which describes the concept is bhat-ghum, literally meaning "rice-sleep", a nap after lunch.
Afternoon sleep is also a common habit in China and Taiwan after the midday meal. This is called '"wujiao" in Chinese. Almost all schools in Mainland China and Taiwan have a half-hour nap period right after lunch. This is a time when all lights are out and one is not allowed to do anything other than rest or sleep.
Some Japanese offices have special rooms known as napping rooms for their workers to take a nap during lunch break or after overtime work.
In Islam, it is encouraged to take a nap between Dhuhr and Asr prayers, with the intention of doing tahajjud later in the night.