Notes from Millie D

Okay this has nothing to do about technology but it still is important.  I remember surviving my senior year in college thanks to the power nap.  Now I have something concrete to tie it to.  The January 2006 issue of Men’s Journal contains an article that highlights the benefits of napping. 

How Long Is A Good Nap?

THE NANO-NAP: 10 to 20 seconds
Sleep studies haven’t yet concluded whether there are benefits to these
brief intervals, like when you nod off on someone’s shoulder on the
train.

THE MICRO-NAP: two to five minutes
Shown to be surprisingly effective at shedding sleepiness.

THE MINI-NAP: five to 20 minutes
Increases alertness, stamina, motor learning, and motor performance.

THE ORIGINAL POWER NAP: 20 minutesIncludes the benefits of
the micro and the mini, but additionally improves muscle memory and
clears the brain of useless built-up information, which helps with
long-term memory (remembering facts, events, and names).

THE LAZY MAN’S NAP: 50 to 90 minutesIncludes slow-wave plus
REM sleep; good for improving perceptual processing; also when the
system is flooded with human growth hormone, great for repairing bones
and muscles.

As a parent I survive on the micro-nap but I don’t my youngest daughter to realize the benefits…yet!