This may come to affect those in the education field in the future.
Studies have been done to seek to determine if taking a 30 minute nap during the school day may improve the student's ability to focus, and thus improve productivity. For four-years, equating napping with increased academic performance has been what the education professionals at the University of California at Davis have been promoting.
The obvious expected result is that a nap would make for a more focused student, which would in turn create a more academically productive student. The last morning hours of 10:00 - 11:00 AM, and the early afternoon hours from 2:00 - 4:00 PM tend to be the points where people experience that natural energy loss, which can produce a time of less focus. When you take a 30-minute nap during either of these two times, research has shown there are benefits to be had.
Students have an improved state of mind, and stay more alert in classes. I personally was not aware of this, except by experience, but taking a nap that is longer than thirty minutes is actually more detrimental, leaving you groggier. I know by experience, that a short power nap can invigorate me, but that sleeping for an hour or so does cause me to be groggy and feel worse afterwards. I guess it makes sense that studies have proven that to be true; I just wasn't aware.
This idea of napping at school is not widespread, but the few schools that have jumped on board have come up with some interesting ideas in the process. For instance, at San Diego University they have what is called a "nap map" which is a map that shows the best places on campus to go to nap - based upon the evaluation of students themselves. These places tend to be areas of low light, with furniture suitable and comfortable enough to promote napping.
The key seems to be to promote proper napping methods, specifically the amount of time. If the student had a normal good night sleep the previous evening (normal being considered between seven and nine hours), then students need to know that anything over thirty minutes has more of a negative effect. These napping times should be simply a supplement to a good night’s sleep, and not an attempt to replace it. With that in mind, the current research seems to show benefits, and we may see this become more widespread in the education field.
Now, if only my job here would follow suit and give us some nap breaks.
The obvious expected result is that a nap would make for a more focused student, which would in turn create a more academically productive student. The last morning hours of 10:00 - 11:00 AM, and the early afternoon hours from 2:00 - 4:00 PM tend to be the points where people experience that natural energy loss, which can produce a time of less focus. When you take a 30-minute nap during either of these two times, research has shown there are benefits to be had.
Students have an improved state of mind, and stay more alert in classes. I personally was not aware of this, except by experience, but taking a nap that is longer than thirty minutes is actually more detrimental, leaving you groggier. I know by experience, that a short power nap can invigorate me, but that sleeping for an hour or so does cause me to be groggy and feel worse afterwards. I guess it makes sense that studies have proven that to be true; I just wasn't aware.
This idea of napping at school is not widespread, but the few schools that have jumped on board have come up with some interesting ideas in the process. For instance, at San Diego University they have what is called a "nap map" which is a map that shows the best places on campus to go to nap - based upon the evaluation of students themselves. These places tend to be areas of low light, with furniture suitable and comfortable enough to promote napping.
The key seems to be to promote proper napping methods, specifically the amount of time. If the student had a normal good night sleep the previous evening (normal being considered between seven and nine hours), then students need to know that anything over thirty minutes has more of a negative effect. These napping times should be simply a supplement to a good night’s sleep, and not an attempt to replace it. With that in mind, the current research seems to show benefits, and we may see this become more widespread in the education field.
Now, if only my job here would follow suit and give us some nap breaks.
Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Education Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.
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