Macqnap's Vlog Adventure

We here at Macqnap wanted to do more than just write about the best places around Macquarie University to nap, so the team went out and actually hunted them down. We have a vlog just to prove it!

We found different and unique places such as silver benches, dusty couches, hard chairs, soft bean bags and good old nature. The vlog takes you around campus in high definition AND a time lapse: It's always a lot more interesting to see the world in fast forward.

As a team we had lots of fun sharing our experiences and knowledge about anything and everything that has to do with some much needed napping time.

Thanks to all our readers for tuning in and keeping up to date with Macqnap's posts!


Come check out our vlog here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbkbJ3hpYG0

Signing out,
This is Macqnap!






Writer: Lousie Le

NapSpot: Lavender Bench

Location: Garden outside E5A

Napping on this bench is like napping in the perfume department of Myer. If you like the smell of lavender, then this spot is just right for you. One of the best advantages of sleeping here, if you smell a bit stinky that day, I can assure you that you will smell like you have bathed in perfume. The garden is pretty secluded and shielded away from the rest of civilisation with large hedges. The scenery is gorgeous and you can fall asleep here with the soft, warm rays of the sun hitting your face.

There are a few downsides though. First of all, if you're allergic to bees, stay far far away. A restful nap could turn into a trip to the emergency room under those circumstances. The garden is a curse for people with lots of allergies and whilst spring means that it's beautiful and in bloom, people with hay fever may say otherwise. Secondly, the bench is not comfy, not even remotely. It's made for sitting, not sleeping so it's pretty painful and you'll probably leave with a bad back if you nap here too much. The garden generally has a few people sitting in there so you won't have total privacy.

Overall, I give this bench 2/5 stars

Writer:
Julia Gapon
julia.gapon@students.mq.edu.au
https://twitter.com/MacqNap

Benefits of Napping

Who doesn't like a sweet nap? People desire for sleep twice a day once at night and once 8 hours after you wake up in the morning that regulated by circadian biological clock and sleep/wake homeostasis.

However it is traditionally frowned upon our society to take a break or slow down and discourage taking nap during day at work and school.

It is natural phenomenon that we feel drowsy during day and that's when we need to step back and take a nap. Also there are researches that have proven the benefits of napping. Napping when done right way can balance hormones naturally and improve mental and physical performance.

1. Improves Cognitive Function

Researches from a 2007 published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that a power nap improves aleartness and aspects of mental and physical performances. The results showed that the group of men who napped experienced better improvements in alertness, short-term memory, infra-aural temperature and heart rate.

2. Improves Heart Health

A study conducted by the University of Athens Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who took naps regularly on average had lower coronary mortality than those who didn't.

3. Reduce Stress and Anxiety

A 2012 study that appeared in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism researched the stress-related effects in adults of two short naps taken during the day and the ability to repair some of the damage caused by a poor night's sleep of just two hours.

4. Fights Food Cravings

Being tired is notorious for leading to increased hunger and food cravings. When the afternoon hits, many people have a sweet addiction and crave chocolates, sweets or coffee to keep them going and resolve issues associated with unstable blood sugar.

5. Improves Physical Performance

Studies have found a correlation between short naps and improved athletic abilities, including faster sprint times and better motor reaction. Results show that athletes who take short naps perform better on the field, improving their motor reaction skills and speed.

Reference from https://draxe.com/power-nap/


Reference
https://draxe.com/power-nap/
http://www.littlethings.com/benefits-of-napping/?utm_source=cheryl&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=health

Image
http://nicholasferguson.org/3-benefits-of-taking-naps-and-how-they-improve-your-life/

Writer
James Cho
eungil.cho@students.mq.edu.au

NapSpot: Library Lawn and under the tree
Location: near Macquarie library

It’s another day at campus and you stayed up late the night before as usual. You barely survived the lectures and you are going to library to study for exams but the weather is overwhelming. Warm and bright. A drowsy spring day. It’s that day when you want to do nothing else but to relax.


It is important to learn concepts and theories to achieve higher grades in assesments but  it’s more important not to push yourself over the limit. Don’t resist yourself and do whatever you want do.

Why don’t you leave behind any concerns that are weighing you down, step back and take a rest. Find yourself a spot on the lawn or under the tree and enjoy the moment as if today is the last day to live. Take a nap. Feel the atmosphere.

I assure you that it will boost your energy and improve productivity for the rest of your day. That's right you won't regret it. But be careful not to get carried away and forget what you were planning to do for the day because it's too comfortable you will lost track of time.

Writer

James Cho

eungil.cho@students.mq.edu.au

NapSpot: MUSE & Bassline

Location: MUSE C7A – 18 Wallys Walk

Macquarie University Spatial Experience a.k.a. MUSE, provides a variety of flexible spaces that support students with social interactive learning environment and student collaborations. It is also a perfect NapSpot for students who wanting to take a break and revive from fatigue and exhaustion due to studying over night.

We understand that you cannot sleep early at night because you might be doing exam preparation, writting essays, finishing off assignments or any othre reasons. But the next day, you will struggle throughout the day. If that's so, why don't come down to MUSE or Bassline and grab a bin bag or find some spot and take a nap? It will boost your performance throughout the day.

Also it provides personal work spaces like the one on the right-hand side. While studying you some times want to take a break or take a nap then bring a bin bag next to you and jump in whenever you feel like. It is one of the best NapSpot for those who seek for flexibility and it includes with power plug-in, both wired and wireless internet and air-conditioning.

I hope you guys like this NapSpot and share your experience with your friends so they can enjoy a good nap break too!

Writer
James Cho
eungil.cho@students.mq.edu.au

How a food coma makes you sleepy

Go ahead and just take the first steps to one of many naps...

It will allow you de-stress just a little and take the edge off.

Feeling moody? Grumpy? Easily agitated? You need some shut eye! Go home, go find a bed or even go find a place to rest your head at one of Macq Nap's Napspots, read more about each spot in detail.

Have you ever had those days where you have just eaten way too much and you are just getting a little too sleepy, that is called a 'FOOD COMA'.
You may or may not of heard of this term, but its real.
A food coma is  a state of sleep or extreme lethargy induced by the consumption of a large amount of food.
In other words, your food made you sleepy..


It isn't always easy finding some time off BUT when you got to go you got to go, so don't fight your napping urges, embrace it fall asleep with a smile knowing you did the right thing by choosing to take a nap.







Image sources:
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=food+cpma&biw=1745&bih=876&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiwp622tePPAhVJxWMKHdlGA34Q_AUIBygC#tbm=isch&q=food+coma&imgrc=bVMej5lezQMmgM%3A
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=sleepING+with+a+smile&espv=2&biw=1745&bih=876&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiOsMPRtePPAhUQ8WMKHV9uDq4Q_AUIBigB#imgrc=Jj7kdVv-NgOutM%3A

Writer:
Lousie Le
lousie.le@students.mq.edu.au

Nap spot: BASSLINE IS THE PLACE TO BE

                                            
Bassline, like a hidden sanctuary, with a quiet and relaxing ambiance, providing an abundance of napping resources such as a comfy table, bean bags or just somewhere to rest your little head, Bassline is the place to be.

Its a hidden hub underneath the Muse that you can escape whenever you feel the need to just take some time off and catch up on that much needed shut eye!

So why not

•  Book a room or..
• Grab a bean bag or...
•  Even just find a comfy spot to lay your head

 Nap with a friend, get a pair or even a group of you, go down to Bassline, book a room and all just rest your head on the table or the couch!




Sources
http://students.mq.edu.au/services_and_facilities/services_facilities_a-z/muse/room_bookings/


Writer:
Lousie Le
Lousie.le@students.mq.edu.au