The National Napping Day is celebrated every Monday after the Daylight Saving Time begins in the USA. This unofficial holiday gives everyone the chance to take a nap and catch up on the lost hour of sleep due to the spring forward change in time.
About the National Nap Day
A nap is a short period of sleep taken during the day. According to scientific studies, short naps can increase one’s alertness and productivity. Since napping gives you a rest, you can make yourself feel better and improve your mood. In turn, you become more energetic and productive. Studies also point out that 10 to 20 minute naps are the most effective ones.
Many successful people in history are reported to have taken naps during the day. They include Albert Einstein, Napoleon, and Winston Churchill. During this day of celebration, people celebrate by obviously taking a nap or a short sleep.
History
The National Napping Day was created in 1999 by William Anthony, Ph.D., a Boston University professor and his wife, Camille Anthony. The reason for them founding this day is to make people aware of the health benefits of napping and getting a quality sleep. They also chose Monday as the day of celebration since Americans were more ready to take a nap during this day after losing one hour of sleep because of the daylight saving time.
Dates
As mentioned earlier, the National Napping Day is celebrated every Monday after the Daylight Saving Time. This means that the dates of celebration for this event are as follows:
- Monday, March 11,
- Monday, March 9,
- Monday, March 15,
- Monday, March 14, 2022
- Monday, March 13, 2023
- Monday, March 11, 2024
- Monday, March 9, 2025
- Monday, March 9, 2026
- Monday, March 15, 2027
- Monday, March 13, 2028
- Monday, March 12, 2029
Why Celebrate Napping Day?
The following are the main reasons why you should participate in the celebration of the National Napping Day:
To Rejuvenate
One good reason why you should celebrate this day is that by doing so, you can rejuvenate yourself. Taking a nap lets your body recover energy and refresh itself. At sleep, the cells in our body become repaired and new ones are created. This is the reason why after sleeping, we become more energetic, productive, and ready to work. Hence, if you want to do this kind of rejuvenation, then you should celebrate the National Napping Day.
To Become Smarter
Also a good reason to celebrate this day is that by doing so, your nap can make you smarter. Naps can repair your brain cells. This can improve your logical reasoning and reaction time. You should take this day as your opportunity to start napping on a daily basis. Napping before your next test will allow you to answer the test in your best mental and physical state.
To Be Happier
According to studies, napping can make people less impulsive and better handle frustrating situations. Napping can also improve one’s mood. Due to these, it can make a person happier in general. Thus, if you feel exhausted, tired, and somehow lonely, then you might want to take a nap to recover and be happier.
Napping Day Celebration Ideas and Activities
The following are the best things to do to make your celebration of the National Napping Day:
Take a Nap
Obviously, the best way to celebrate this day is to take a nap, which is what this day is all about. You can take a 10 to 20 minute nap in your preferred time of the day, with the best one being right after noon. Just remember not to oversleep because that might do the opposite effect on your body – become exhausted instead of becoming energetic.
Resupply Your Sleeping Materials
You can also celebrate this day by resupplying your sleeping materials. Your bed may already be broken or your pillows and blankets already worn out. If so, then this may be the best time for you to repair them or buy a new one. These materials are very important because they allow you to get a good sleep. With good sleep, you can maximize the benefits that you get from sleeping.
Start a Nap Routine
You can also take this day as your opportune time to start a new nap routine. As mentioned earlier, taking a 10 to 20 minute nap a day is good for your health. If you are not used to that, then this day may be the best time to start such routine.
Celebrate on Social Media
You can also take your celebration of this day on social media. You can, for instance, use the hashtag #NationalNappingDay to let your friends and followers know that you are also participating in the celebration of this day. You can also take a selfie of yourself before you take your nap and then share that photo on social media.
National Nap Day Quotes
- “But the important thing is to lie down and fall asleep. That little nap means you wake up fresh again and can continue.” — James Levine
- “No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.” — Carrie Snow
- “Surely, anyway, a working day of eight or nine hours which is not split by a nap is simply too much for a human being to take, day in, day out, and particularly so in hot weather.” — Tom Hodgkinson
- “Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.” — Barbara Jordan
- “I love being able to take a nap in the afternoon.” — Edie Falco
- “There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled.” — Ovid
- “Sleep more at night. If it’s allowed at work or home, take a nap in the afternoon. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel.” — Ben Stein
- “I eat really healthy, and if I’m tired, I take a nap.” — Casper Van Dien
- “I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything till noon. That’s when it’s time for my nap.” — Bob Hope
- “Laziness works. And the simple way to incorporate its health benefits into your life is simply to take a nap.” — Tom Hodgkinson