One More Reason to Take Naps

November 28, 2001

There are some days when it feels like things just aren’t going your way: Maybe your train is late on the way to class, you forgot to pack lunch in your dance bag or the new variation you’re learning just isn’t sticking.

But what if there was a quick fix for the frustration that builds up? One 
recent study
, published in the journal 
Personality and Individual Differences
, found that a brief nap could help you tolerate frustration and reduce impulsive behavior. As a way to measure frustration, researchers had 40 people attempt to complete an impossible task. Next, they had half the participants take a nap while the other half watched a video. Afterward, everyone was asked to complete the task again. The results showed that people who had taken a nap were less likely to give up on the tricky task, spending more time on it than those who hadn’t slept. They also described their behavior as less impulsive. 

It makes sense, considering the many benefits we already know naps can have. Next time a tough day is getting you down, a few minutes of rest between rehearsals could be the boost you need to power through with a positive attitude. And when you’re less frustrated, it’ll be easier to approach difficult choreography with patience and a clear mind.