TWITCHING ON
NOTICE
THE A TO ZZZZZ'S OF NAPPING // KELCI SHIPLEY
Monica Saha once fell asleep at McDonald's. She's also snoozed beside her friend's pool, on the campus express bus and under a table at Anschutz Library. Saha, Overland Park sophomore, is just one of many college students who squeeze in a much-needed nap whenever and wherever they can. According to a Pew Research Center Social and Demographic Trends survey 33 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 nap on a daily basis in the United States.
A nap can lessen fatigue, but only if it is done correctly. A study published in the February 1 issue of SLEEP. the journal of Associated Professional Sleep Societies, found that the best nap consisted of non-REM sleep, which includes rapid eye movement and dreaming. Napping should be limited to 30 minutes. Sleeping more may lead to sleep inertia, or grogginess.
With a continuous influx of class assignments, social obligations and extracurricular activities, college students don't always get a healthy amount of sleep, says Patty Quinlan, supervisor of nursing at Student Health Services. Students may choose to sleep later in the day in order to curb their fatigue, but Quinlan says they should do it for no more than 20 or 30 minutes. This short duration of rest is often called a "power nap," but you don't have to fall asleep to benefit, Quinlan says. She says that simply slowing your heart rate and emptying your thoughts can improve mood, awareness and memory.
For Zachary Hoppenstedt, Manhattan senior, sleep is a serious subject matter. "When I put my head down to rest, I don't play," he says. After a long day of work and class, Hoppenstedt says that he lays his responsibilities aside and replaces them with a comfortable body pillow. "Every bit of activity for the day is gone as soon as I'm in a comatose state."
Hoppenstedt said that aside from general fatigue, his naps are commonly taken during dreary and dark weather. Quinlan says that these conditions can frequently drive people inside, calling it the "blah syndrome." Quinlan also says that factors contributing to an increase in napping include a low mood, such as depression, a chronic illness that requires frequent rest and a decrease in amount of exercise.
Even healthy students getting the recommended eight hours of sleep a night can benefit from napping. If you're feeling drowsy, almost every building on campus can be used to recharge your
CRASHING ON CAMPUS
batteries. Saha says that "anywhere with a sofa is pretty socially acceptable." But don't let that limit you. Check out the cozy café atmosphere in the Kansas Union, the solitary confinement of the stacks in Watson Library or even the upper deck of an auditorium filled with 1,000 students in Budig 120.
Along with great places to nap, there are certain places to avoid. Most notably, Saha says to steer clear of Wescoe Beach, full of chattering students walking rapidly across chalked advertisements. The hustle and bustle does not aid in relaxation, Saha says. "The one time I fell asleep there I woke up to a girl talking to me," she says. "Not only was I the wrong person, but she thought I was awake the whole time."
SLEEP AROUND THE WORLD
According to Gerrard Mackenzie, author of the Special Sleep Report, many variations of a "power nap" exist in other countries. In his article, "What's in a Name? Power Nap in Different Cultures," he mentions that siestas, the tradition of napping after a large lunch, are quite popular in Spain and Latin America. However, according to the article the siesta is dying out as countries become Americanized, adopting stricter work schedules and lunch breaks.
The article also discusses the Japanese practice of "inemuri," which is a nap taken at work during the day. Inemuri is supposed to show an employee's dedication to the job by sacrificing sleep at night. The practice is usually reserved for
top executives and beginning workers, striking a balance between the two ends of the hierarchy.
Hoppenstedt says that when he studied abroad in Costa Rica last semester he noticed napping was quite common because of the weather. He says the climate is frequently wet with torrential rain, and that during the day his host family would be in bed with all the lights off, napping. "During storms it's common to find the entire population of Costa Rica sprawled on the horizontal surface of their choice."
Hoppenstedt says that although some Americans negatively associate napping with laziness, in Costa Rica time moves slower and people think rest is important. He says that big cities in the U.S. tend to have a never-ending schedule, and that people may choose not to nap in order to avoid being stereotyped as lethargic.
Saha says that although napping can be seen as lazy, she uses the time to rejuvenate. "I'm doing it for me, so I can be better at everything throughout the day."
NAPPING ESSENTIALS
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COMFORT: This is key when choosing to nap. If you're not comfortable you're not going to get good rest. Patty Quinlan, supervisor at Student Health Services, says beds or reclining chairs are usually best, but finding a shady spot beneath a tree or sprawling on top of an empty desk can be a good substitute.
COMPANY: There's only one thing better than napping, and that's finding someone to do it with. A cuddle buddy can increase relaxation and soothe worries. Just be sure to share the same views on the aforementioned guidelines.
CLIMATE: Some people like it hot; others like it cold. Whichever varying degree of temperature allows you to sleep best should be considered when napping.
Photo illustration by Alex Bonham-Carter
Just leave me to my zzzz's, please: From location to temperature to length, there's an art to napping. According to a Pew Research survey, 33 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 nap on a daily basis in the United States, but are you napping well? Research shows the best naps consist of non-REM sleep.
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