National Napping Day: Why was it started and its link to Daylight Savings Time

Every year, National Napping Day is held on the Monday following the start of Daylight Savings Time, giving everyone a perfect reason to catch up on sleep.

This annual time shift can result in loss of some crucial shut-eye, which can cause this day to be a great time for a power nap.

National Napping Day: Why was it started

This unofficial holiday was started in 1999 by Boston University professor William Anthony and his wife, Camille, to promote the health benefits of napping and to help people overcome the time change.

Why are naps important

Studies have revealed that naps are good for boosting energy levels, improving mood, and even increasing productivity in the workplace. However, not all naps are the same. The professionals recommend short naps to prevent feeling tired and groggy. Napping for longer can affect your nighttime sleep.

If you can’t find time to nap today, you should try to enhance your sleep environment. Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. Getting some blackout curtains, a good pillow, or a white noise machine can greatly improve your sleep quality. Changing your sheets to a new crisp set can also help with your level of comfort when sleeping.

Also Read : Is sleeping too much an early sign of Alzheimer’s? Here’s what research says

Daylight Savings Time: Recent debates

Daylight Saving Time started at 2 AM on March 9, this year, when most of the United States moved their clocks forward one hour. Some people appreciate the extra daylight in the evening, but many others think that there is no justification for the periodic shift in the time.

President Donald Trump had previously expressed opposition to the practice, referring to it as "a pain” and “expensive.” However, in his most recent remarks, he noted that the issue is still rather contentious. Billionaire Elon Musk also gave his take on the matter via a poll on his social media accounts regarding whether the time should change an hour ahead or an hour behind if the option to remove the time change is eliminated. Of the 1.3 million participants, 58 percent voted for the later hour.

Attempts to make Daylight Savings Time permanent have not gained steam in Congress yet. Senator Rick Scott and Representative Vern Buchanan introduced a bill in January of 2025 to do away with the time change, but the bill has not advanced. Despite passing the Senate in 2022, it did not make it through the House.

How to maximise your National Napping Day

In the meantime, the issue of time changes remains actual, and National Napping Day is a chance to at least try to catch up on sleep. The Mayo Clinic recommends that naps should be kept to 20–30 minutes to avoid disturbing nighttime sleep. Also, it is better not to nap after 3 o'clock in the afternoon, as this may lead to difficulty sleeping at night.

In any case, whether you decide to take a quick nap or just discover more information about healthy sleep practices, National Napping Day is a day to remember that rest is important. So, if you feel like you are running on empty today, why not take that much-needed nap?

Also Read : Who is South Korean singer Wheesung, 43, found dead at home in Seoul?

FAQs:

1. Why is National Napping Day celebrated after Daylight Savings Time?
   National Napping Day falls on Monday after the time change to help people recover from the lost hour of sleep and raise awareness of the benefits of napping.
   

What is the ideal nap duration?
Experts recommend a short nap of 20 to 30 minutes to enhance alertness and mood without causing grogginess.