Daily Independent (Ashland, KY)

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September 5, 2012

MARK MAYNARD: The power of napping

Mark Maynard The Independent

ASHLAND — The older I get, the more I need a good nap. It used to be I could hang late into the night, watching sports on television or scouring the Internet for some useful information — like the power of napping.

It’s not that I’m getting older, I’m getting smarter.

Many large companies see the benefit of the power naps. Google has what they call “nap pods” for employees that blocks out sound and light. Newsweek magazine in Manhattan provides a napping spa for employees.

Did you know Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy all took regular afternoon naps?

I say if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.

However, my naps don’t come on the job (really, they don’t). Mine come in the easy chair in my living room and usually aren’t planned. They just kind of happen. The Reds will be batting in the bottom of the third inning and then, before you know, I open my eyes and it’s the top of the fifth inning. It typically happens between 7:15 and 8 p.m.

Luckily, through the magic of my Kindle Fire, I can look up the game on the Internet and find out what I missed. It’s easy as that.

I’ve found that getting that 20- or 30-minute siesta has great revitalizing power. Once one of those power naps have been taken, the energy returns and I’m good to go the rest of the evening — sometimes late into the evening. I’ve found that my best writing comes when there are absolutely no distractions. The phone stops ringing, there’s nothing good on television and the wife and dog are in dreamland.

I know what it feels like to be sleep-deprived. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 15 years ago and have been wearing a CPAP mask to bed ever since. Before the mask, power naps were how I survived. Anytime my body would grow still, I would fall asleep. It could be at the kitchen table or in the choir loft at church. My body was so deprived of rest it would take it at anytime during the day or night.

But I’m no longer sleep-deprived because of the science of the CPAP machine that blows continuous air into my lungs. I sleep like a baby after slipping that mask on for the night.

However, that doesn’t mean naps aren’t still a necessity — and even a benefit.

Naps have been linked with increased performance, better memory, improved mood and even heart health. They are said to reverse aging, strengthen the sex drive, minimize stress and even enhance how the body utilizes carbs.

I remember after the first month of using my CPAP machine, I actually lost about 10 pounds without dieting. So there might be something special about naps and weight loss (we can always dream that’s true).

Here’s probably what really happens with the weight management. When you’re sleepy, what do you do? Probably drink some caffeine or eat something sugary. Extra calories are taken in and energy spikes come as does the unwanted extra pounds.

Go ahead and take that nap. Avoid the Mountain Dew and M&M’s.

Don’t feel guilty about taking a nap, even if it comes before bedtime.

Studies have proven it’s good for the soul.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at (606) 326-2648 or mmaynard@dailyindependent.com.

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