National Napping Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated annually the day right after the return of daylight saving time. The purpose of this holiday is to give everyone a chance to catch up on some much-needed rest after the clocks have sprung forward. Several studies have shown that even a 20- or 30-minute nap can have a positive effect on mental alertness and cognitive ability. So grab your favorite blanket and lay your head down for a few moments on this lazy holiday.

History of National Napping Day

National Napping Day traces its roots back to 1999 when William Anthony, Ph.D., and his wife, Camille Anthony, decided to create a holiday that would highlight the benefits of taking a quick nap. They chose to celebrate the holiday on the Monday after Daylight Saving Time (DST) because they felt that their fellow Americans are more ready for a nap after losing an hour due to DST. It has been eagerly celebrated by sleep-deprived Americans ever since.

Facts About Naps

• Naps of around 20 or 30 minutes are best for improved short-term alertness.
• Napping three times a week results in a 37% decrease in heart-related deaths.
• Naps can improve performance by 34%.
• In Ancient Rome, it was common to take a nap after lunch.
• 60 million Americans are sleep-deprived at any one time.
• Humans are the only mammals to plan or delay naps.
• Just thinking about a nap can lower blood pressure.
• Most mammals nap.

Celebrating National Napping Day

The only thing you really need to celebrate this day is your blanket and about 30 minutes to lay down for a nap. Once you’ve done that, you can encourage other people to do the same by using the hashtag #NationalNappingDay on social media.