Do you need some hours of sleep? Good thing is that March 13 was National Napping Day!
According to Lifezette, this is not a gimmick. The day is meant to remind us that sleeping is very powerful. Just after the return of daylight saving time, individuals are given the opportunity to catch up on the hours lost.
It has been shown that sleep deprivation can affect our productivity. It can even contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. It also leads to a higher risk of mortality.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of all Americans don't get enough sleep. In fact, it is more than a question of public health.
National Napping Day was started by Boston University Professor William Anthony and his wife Camille in 1999 to encourage adequate sleep as it has great health benefits. Anthony said that Monday was chosen because Americans are more ready to nap after losing hours of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time.
According to Chron, the culture of Americans does not encourage napping, most especially at work. Meanwhile, Texas Legislature recently supported the idea of napping. Even tech companies like Google, Uber, PwC, AOL, and Zappos prioritize corporate-sanctioned nap rooms.
Last year, the RAND Corporation found out that sleep deprivation can cause businesses to close. It can even sap the economy. It costs the world's economy $411 billion annually.
That is the reason why National Napping Day is celebrated annually. It is not only beneficial for individuals, but also for businesses and the economy as a whole.