NapSpot: The Library

The Library

For when you're studying, working hard but all you want to do is nap your trouble away. The library is the place to be! It is so quiet you will sleep like a little baby without any cares. Just don't snore too loud and wake the other nappers. Try to limit the space you take up though as the library can get pretty full during peak times and your fellow students probably wont appreciate someone taking up valuable study space to take a nap. Those little orange circles of goodness are ideal napping spaces because of the comfort! Have fun napping!

Writer -
Katherine McArthur

NapSpot: Muse

Muse

ahhhh muse. Everyone's favourite study/chill out zone/ eating hub (other than the actual hub). It is also a prime napping environment with plenty of hidden areas and closed off sections for you to rest your tired head. This area has the added benefit of super comfy beanbags and cushiony chairs and sometimes even soundproof rooms! Just remember, try not to take up too much room from the actual hard working students who are there to study. Its an easy way to make enemies... 

Go to the coloured section for the comfiest seats! Those little orange pods are highly recommended.


Writer -
Katherine McArthur

NapSpot: The Lake

The Lake

LOOK AT THIS! LOOK AT THE SUNSHINE! AMAZING!!!!

The lake is the perfect napping  environment on a beautiful sunny day! Go soak up that vitamin D and get a tan by the sunning Macquarie Lake. All you need is soft, cushiony laptop case or bag or even a rolled up jacket and you're set! Nap with a friend for extra security of your belongings and play some music to hep with your tranquil experience. This spot is ideal for a midday break as you wont be disturbed by other nappers. Beware of birds though. This spot is notorious for poop.

Writer -
Katherine McArthur

Napping Know-how for Students

I'm sure we have all taken a nap here and there sometimes because we're bored or sometimes cause we really need it and can't fight to stay awake any longer. 

There are so many hidden facts about napping that a lot of people don't know..


1. Napping makes you smarter
Some may find this hard to believe but there are studies that states that napping for a little as an hour allows your brain to reset you short-term memory and helps you learn more easily after you wake up.

2. All-nighters
Without a doubt students have stayed up all night to complete an assignment they may have very likely left last minute or left studying for an exam till the day before. Choosing not to sleep and to cram reduces the ability to retain information by 40%! 

Why even bother I say??

3. Napping before a planned all-nighter
So you've accepted the fact you left something last minute and now you have to face the consequences of not sleeping, try a short nap before the long hard night ahead it will assist you in staying alert for up to 10 hours after.

The power of napping is amazing!

4. Picking the right time
Picking the right time to nap is important so that it doesn't interfere with your nighttime sleep, best time is usually in the early afternoon after lunch.

5. Hour naps are the go-to
60 minutes of napping improves your alertness for 10hrs - However naps over 20-30mins to risk the chance of feeling groggy for half and hour to an hour after the nap.

6. A mix of caffeine 
Here's a cool tip, if you really need that boost of energy try drinking some caffeine right before you nap for 20-30mins which is the approximate time it takes for it to kick in and once you wake you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle your day!

7. Don't interfere with the night's sleep
Approximate time you want to be pushing your nap to is five hours before bedtime without risking being able to fall asleep at night

Writer - Lousie Le

Images
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Stress-free sleeping

Stress-free sleeping Tips for better sleeping!

Have you ever tried sleeping the night before some major exams or the day before some sort of confrontation with an incoming conflict? Do you remember  how long it took you to get to sleep, tossing and turning, only to get a few hours of sleep riddled with nightmares of the incoming event. This can all be linked to stress, anxiety and excitement to some extent.

Stress acts similarly to your body telling you that something is wrong although most of the things it tells you are wrong is only because you make it out to be something far worse than it really is in your mind. This can also be attributed to the environment and people you surround yourself with telling you that certain things are wrong or bad, things such as failing an exam. And this can lead to nightmares.

There are a few methods you could use to deal with stress before sleep, or in some sense to De-stress yourself.

* One thing I noticed through life experience was to avoid horror movies and angry things (such as loud, heavy metal) than my solution is to spend 1-2 hours before sleep without these things. This period will be the wind down period.

* The wind down period is to as the name suggests wind down. To calm yourself, to release the stress and stop thinking about that which scares you or in another sense stimulates your mind to a great extent.

* I suggest drinking some tea and listening to some soft music (I tend to listen to Jazz, orchestral and in some cases Church Chants) to wind down or calm down). Another thing I would suggest is watching animal video (I like cat and dog videos personally) that are great for winding down as they are very happy videos and animals are so cute.

* If you are religious, You could practice praying or whatever your religion preaches which could calm you down spiritually and mentally.

* A great tip would be to take deep breaths before sleep. This means inhaling air until your stomach goes out ass much as it can and until you have more than enough air. Then simply exhale and repeat it five times. This is also a great tip for stressful situations in general such as speeches. Taking five deep breaths before the action or event will go a long way to calm you down.

* Taking a shower is a great way to calm down after and before events. This also includes when you are feeling stressed or afraid. This not only relaxes your muscles but increases your internal or body temperature which makes sleeping much easier and is one of the reasons people generally feel calmer after a shower.

* My last recommendation with winding down or de-stressing is to exercise. Exercising uses a lot of energy and is a great way to remove or waste your anger in some sense. This is seen best in releasing your anger on a punching bag or spending energy running around your nearby area.

These tips help me on a daily basis to get a good nights sleep and de-stress on a general basis. If you are having problems sleeping, I suggest you give these a shot!

Writer:
Aleksandar Bjelosevic
aleksandar.bjelosevic@students.mq.edu.au Image:
http://askdrernst.com/wp-content/uploads/Sleep.jpg
https://cdn.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/styles/article-inline-half/public/blogs/46501/2011/05/65205-55645.jpg?itok=AuOEmFhc

Hey Nappers!

So today I am blogging from the sunny Port Macqaurie! I'm staying in a nice little hotel room with two single beds. That got me thinking, how can I get the best sleep possible whilst I'm away from the comfort and familiarity of home base (my bed)? At home, I've got my routine, my pillows arranged for maximum comfort and my own toasty, warm blanket. Here, I'm in foreign terrain – Terrifying, I know.

Here's how I got the best sleep out of my stay:

1. Investigate and explore

Hotel rooms always have hidden goodies hidden in the closets and cupboards. Make sure you check those out first because you are bound to find extra pillows and blankets to use in building up your bedding inventory. If you ever feel like you don't have enough in your arsenal, you can always call the lobby and ask them to bring up some more.

2. Take advantage of the complimentary tea

Tea has always been a friend of mine. If you know your teas well enough and drink the right ones, you can totally manipulate how you feel. If you're ever having a rough night or demand a good night's sleep, drink a cup of chamomile tea. Knocks me right out. For the best cup of tea, add milk and honey. You'll be counting sheep in no time.

3. Play around with lighting

You should try and manipulate the lights in a way so that its not pitch black but not light about an hour before you sleep. This will get you in the mood and have you feeling tired by the time it's actually time to doze off. Usually, rooms will have a bedside lamp. This is especially ideal if you're reading a book before bed – Reading a book also tends to knock me out but make sure it's one that isn't too interesting otherwise you may end up staying up all night instead! I recommend turning off all the lights besides the lamp or a light in a neighbouring room. 

4. Extra beds

Sometimes you may be travelling with a large crew and there aren't enough beds for you guys to sleep on. In this worst case scenario, most beds allow you to take the mattress off the bed support. The support is not ideal but when layered with many blankets, it's sleepable. That way, you've got two beds made out of the one.

I'm off to enjoy Port Macquarie, happy sleeping everyone!

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

Image:
http://www.lafayettegardeninn.com/wp-content/fancygallery/1/3/laf_inn_rooms_1.jpg