To nap or not to nap: The big sleep debate

The thought of sleep, the concept of sleep and the act of sleeping are seemingly innocuous activities. However, unlike what has been previously believed, the sleep debate is alive with new information.  While eight hours was once viewed as the optimal amount of nightly rest, recent studies claim otherwise.

According to Dr. Francesco Cappuccio, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Warwick, "…findings indicate that consistently sleeping around seven hours per night is optimal for health."

Sleeping eight hours might even be detrimental to your health, or so the study elaborates. Now, while we might be a generation of adrenaline junkies coupled with a healthy appreciation of near-death experiences, the act of sleeping has never once posed a real threat. Nevertheless, as research continues to explore, sleeping either too little or too much can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 

For those suffering from sleep deprivation, this information is slightly unnerving, especially with the onset of the fall semester.  Oh, and for those of you sleeping too much, you selfish pigs: I hope you burn in Hell.

Fortunately, with this madness comes a quintessential solution, claims Dr. Maoshing Ni in a Yahoo! Health article. In his article, "Sleep your way to 100 with Power Naps," Dr. Maoshing Ni addresses our dire need for a little extra shuteye. In the past, naps have been shamelessly abused and misunderstood. Forty-five minutes of slobbery slumber is simply unacceptable, for both you and the person who finds you curled up in one of the Kraemer Family Library cubicles.

Power naps, not to be confused with lengthy periods of drowsiness, should be enjoyed for 10, 20 or 30 minutes a day. These short stints of sleep are believed to both rejuvenate and refresh the body in a way unlike caffeine or energy drinks which only create the illusion of efficiency. Some famous nap enthusiasts include Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Thomas Edison. Recognizing the mid-day fatigue, these professional nappers turned to their pillows in times of need.  With enhanced cognitive function, better reaction time, more patience, stress relief and better overall health, we owe a great deal of gratitude to sleep.

The beauty of power-naps lies in the simplicity of its effectiveness. Rather than borrow energy, as caffeinated beverages do, a brief nap invigorates the mind in a naturally uplifting manner. Studies show that people who nap 30 minutes every day were 30 percent less prone to heart disease than those who failed to capitalize on their mid-day drowsiness.

In other words, by all means, catch a few Z's. Whether that is in the library, the bathroom or in the back of class, the choice is ultimately yours.  

And finally, for the age-old phrase, "You can rest when you're dead," I solemnly shake my head in disgust because without rest you'll likely lose a job, fail your next class and develop cardiovascular disease, too.