Have you ever been desperate to take a nap, but chose not to because you weren’t sure it was good for you? Well now you never have to worry! Research published by the National Sleep Foundation shows that naps are actually good for you! Check out the details, so you can defend yourself when your fellow teachers make fun of you for your five-minute dozes between classes!

Why They Are Good

According to the NSF, naps restore alertness, enhance performance, and reduce mistakes and accidents. And according to a NASA study on military pilots, a 40-minute nap improved performance by 34 percent. Hello, dance teachers! This is everything! Think of all the counts and combinations you will be able to remember!

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Where am I going to find 40 minutes to nap?” Try to prioritize them. If you’re a planner, schedule specific nap times within your week so you’re able to make it happen. Naps can increase alertness in the period directly following the nap and may extend alertness a few hours later in the day.

Tips for Succesful Naps

The NSF states that, “A short nap is usually recommended (20–30 minutes) for short-term alertness. This type of nap provides significant benefit for improved alertness and performance without leaving you feeling groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep.”

If you have a hard time falling asleep at night after taking a nap during the day, give the shorter naps a try!

The NSF also explains that your sleep environment can impact your ability to fall asleep, so make sure you find a restful place to nap. Many of you are so tired that you can LITERALLY fall asleep anywhere, but for those of you who struggle, try to find a quiet comfortable place!

Happy napping, people! With all your hard work, you deserve it!