Sleep deprivation is rampant. A 30 minute nap is beneficial to your health!
This article specifically talks of the negative effects of sleep deprivation in caregivers : forgetfulness, lowered alertness,premature aging, decrease creativity, lower immune system, increased risk of stroke, diabetes, unwanted weight gain and increased possibility for a heart attack.
Caregiver statistics show caregivers are often exhausted at the end of the day. Many find that they are still unable to sleep. If fact, sleep deprivation affects a person’s sense of humor. There has been a strong correlation between the hours a caregiver sleeps and their level of depression.
There is some good news on the horizon. According to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), a 30 minute nap can actually decrease stress and improve the immune system. It has long been know that a short nap can improve alertness, but the effects of a nap on the endocrine system and immune system was never studied.
The results found that changes in hormone levels were actually normalized when a person was permitted to nap, after a night of only 2 hours sleep. This is good news for the millions of caregivers that are sleep deprived.
A nap should no longer be viewed as a guilty pleasure. It should be incorporated into your self care program everyday.
