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

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

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

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
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=napping+interesting+facts&biw=875&bih=849&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhoNSQq8fPAhWHj5QKHVaFD1kQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1.1#imgrc=rGBNZKjWSzAD4M%3A 

Sleeping Correctly

Sleeping Correctly

Have you ever had a bad sleep (or a painful one) where you wake up wondering whether you were tossed out of a UFO and back into your bed like some sort of rag doll. Well that's every time I went to sleep. At least it used to be until I did some research and discovered studies from numerous Chiropractors and Chiropractic association's. One of which being the American Chiropractic Association who has released a guide on how to sleep properly, in terms of proper sleeping posture. 

Who knew there was a way to sleep on your back "Properly"? Well according to the ACA, you must roll up a sheet or a towel. Tie the towel around your waist in order to provide some support for your lumbar spine. The lumbar spine support allows the spine to remain in a natural position and remain properly aligned. This method provides better napping for your back posture and spinal quality.

The ACA also recommends you use a comfortable and supportive mattress. This means not any mattress will do, and might be a good time to throw away that barely bearable mattress your dad gave you when you moved out. The ACA also recommends you place a small pillow to bolster or elevate your knees while you bend them slightly. This is to allow for better blood flow and comfort in the bottom part of your body as well as spinal alignment. Another recommendation for posturing your neck would be to put some sort of roll under it to allow improved posture. Just as your neck posture can change while typing with a keyboard at a desk, so can it while you sleep.

The ACA also has recommendations for people who may sleep on their sides. One of these is to properly use pillows that are the right size. Large pillows are mainly there for decoration and can really mess with your neck posture. Instead, use a pillow where your face can comfortably face either side straight. Keeping a pillow between your knees can keep the pelvis straight and prevent it from altering posture during your sleep. And a key recommendation is to keep your knees away from your chest comfortably but also avoid sleeping in a fetal position as this is similar to sleeping in a box and will cramp your body and is generally a very uncomfortable posture for anyone who has not compressed their entire body...yet.

A very important thing to remember when sleeping on your side is to change which side you sleep one. One thing that can happen by sleeping on one side for prolonged periods of time is that your spine, chest and organs can shift to one side which is something you want to avoid. To avoid this, the easiest thing to do is sleep on both sides of the bed rather than just the one.

I hope this blog has made you all masters at napping safely and stopped you from waking up in some sort painful position.

- Image sources are
http://askdrernst.com/wp-content/uploads/Sleep-798x530.jpg
http://www.exhab.com/sleep-posture/
- Information Source
http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=1452
http://oldsite.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=3124

Writer -
Aleksandar Bjelosevic
alexbjelosevic@gmail.com