Nap Time: Is It Really Just for Kindergarteners?

Last updated on March 1, 2023

Everyone knows that teens, as students, don’t go to sleep early. They are usually busy with work and stressed out about college or extracurriculars. Yet, they still have school, which they get up early and study late for. So, why don’t we implement an optional time for napping to destress and help our students? 

A lot of students don’t get enough sleep at night. That’s just a fact. According to the Sleep Foundation, most teens will sleep from 11 pm or 12 am to 8 am or 9 am. So, why is this a problem? Well, although this is more than eight hours, schools require students to wake up earlier than 8 or 9. Sometimes, students will also have homework or studying to do that will make them stay up later. If ask any student right now, they will most likely tell you that they get less than seven and a half hours (Sleep in Adolescents), which is two hours less than the recommended amount. 

Students have a long day. Some have extracurriculars, most have homework or tests to study for, and many have some sort of sport or volunteering they do after school. They are usually not energized by the end of the day to do these things, which is a real problem in terms of productivity. A study by the University of Delaware found that napping for 30-60 minutes before 4 pm increases productivity. Additionally, people who implement naps for five to seven days a week have improved attention, nonverbal reasoning, and spatial memory. 

So… what’s the solution to this sleep epidemic? Implementing a 45-minute optional nap period for students and staff would be beneficial to everyone. Soft music could be played in the background, and devices such as laptops or phones wouldn’t be allowed. Of course, staff wouldn’t take devices, but those found using one would be kicked out. Those who don’t want to nap, could use the period as a study hall in which they could work on assignments or study. 

You might ask, wouldn’t this be a financial burden to the school? Well, most of the materials needed for napping are materials that schools already have – like a large space for people to lie down in (a gym or library), projectors, and speakers for music. Students could bring their own blankets and pillows. The only cost the schools would have might be mats that students would need to borrow for the period.

It is obvious that sleep is needed and beneficial for everyone. So, why don’t we have nap time?