December 2016
With one week left of this semester, it is a mad dash to the end. Term projects are due, registration for next semester has begun, and final exams have begun. With all of the stress and hustle that comes with this final push, it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough sleep and allowing time to relax and recover. That’s why I would like to share The Life-Changing Magic of Taking a Nap. (No relation to Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.)
I am a strong advocate of napping. Feeling grumpy? Lay down for 30 minutes. Procrastinating? Take a 15 minute snooze. Stuck on a homework problem? Let your subconscious mull over it. Hungover? Sleep it off. Finally turned in that project it took two months to complete? Celebrate with a nap then get back to work.
In my experience, taking a short nap greatly improves my mood and productivity throughout the rest of the day. It makes me more alert for longer periods of time. I can stay focused on work later into the night. I yawn less, and I require less caffeine. Coffee and energy drinks are certainly helpful, but they cannot completely replace sleep (as much as graduate students everywhere wish).
The trick here – as with most things in life – is moderation. Naps are nice, but it’s important to not over do it because too much sleep can cause oversleeping (a Google search can show the health effects of this). However, sleep deprivation also has very negative effects. Additionally, there are only so many hours in a day, and a one hour nap cannot replace one hour of quality work. It’s important to listen to your body and know if you need to take a break and catch some z’s.
Napping is a great way to take a quick break from work, while also doing something you need to do. Getting enough sleep or taking a moment during the day to rest your eyes can lead to overall better morale and increased productivity. This is The Life-Changing Magic of Taking a Nap.
Kelsey Fieseler | Mechanical Engineering
Kelsey Fieseler is a first-year Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering from Sugar Land, Texas.
I am a strong advocate of napping. Feeling grumpy? Lay down for 30 minutes. Procrastinating? Take a 15 minute snooze. Stuck on a homework problem? Let your subconscious mull over it. Hungover? Sleep it off. Finally turned in that project it took two months to complete? Celebrate with a nap then get back to work.
In my experience, taking a short nap greatly improves my mood and productivity throughout the rest of the day. It makes me more alert for longer periods of time. I can stay focused on work later into the night. I yawn less, and I require less caffeine. Coffee and energy drinks are certainly helpful, but they cannot completely replace sleep (as much as graduate students everywhere wish).
The trick here – as with most things in life – is moderation. Naps are nice, but it’s important to not over do it because too much sleep can cause oversleeping (a Google search can show the health effects of this). However, sleep deprivation also has very negative effects. Additionally, there are only so many hours in a day, and a one hour nap cannot replace one hour of quality work. It’s important to listen to your body and know if you need to take a break and catch some z’s.
Napping is a great way to take a quick break from work, while also doing something you need to do. Getting enough sleep or taking a moment during the day to rest your eyes can lead to overall better morale and increased productivity. This is The Life-Changing Magic of Taking a Nap.
Kelsey Fieseler | Mechanical Engineering
Kelsey Fieseler is a first-year Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering from Sugar Land, Texas.