Siesta: That Afternoon Nap is Good for You

Some of us think that we might get lazy and siesta is not such a good practice. But science and research has proved that siesta is actually good for you. This is why, you might want to reconsider, if you think that siesta is 'bad'.

1- Siesta the power nap- If you don't sleep for too long, siesta can actually relax your mind and increase your efficiency. Post-siesta, you can think clearly and since your mind has rested during the afternoon, your creativity will go up. Plus, you would be far more alert, provided you don't extend your siestas for too long a period.

2- Siesta improves cardiovascular health- As per a research conducted at the John Moores University in Liverpool, people who enjoy siestas, have been known to have lower cardiovascular health issues. It is seen that the blood pressure reduces, just before falling asleep. So if siesta is a habit, it can help reduce chances of cardiovascular mortality.

3- Siesta helps memory- According to the study, doctors say that the results suggested the possibility to speed up memory consolidation, thanks to siesta.

4-Siesta helps your eyes- If you are straining your eyes too much by sitting at your computer/laptop all day long, you need siestas. Siesta will help relax the muscles in your eyes. Constant straining of the eyes can cause serious eye problems, as you grow older. So reduce the chances of such eye problems, and take that power nap.

5- Siesta the stress buster- It has also been noticed that people who enjoy siestas, have lower stress levels. This gain helps improve the health of your heart and your overall well-being.

Taking siestas does not mean you are feeling ill, it is a step towards a healthier life.

But remember one thing, siesta is a short/power nap. So don't sleep for too long in the afternoon. Else you might feel all grumpy and it might affect your night's sleep pattern.

Sources: http://generalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/daily_nap_helps_heart_memory