While it is pretty unconventional in many other cultures, where napping is often reserved for private spaces, Inemuri is not viewed as laziness in Japan
Japanese people are known for their immaculate lifestyle, which makes them lead a disciplined and happy life. One of the best ways to do that is to have a peaceful and regulated sleep, and this is where Inemuri comes into effect.
This method involves taking short naps in public or social settings, such as during work or meetings. While it is pretty unconventional in many other cultures, where napping is often reserved for private spaces, Inemuri is not viewed as laziness in Japan. Instead, it is considered a sign of dedication and hard work, which can help boost your productivity.
Inemuri naturally helps restore your mental and physical energy without letting you disengage from your work environment. Japanese culture places a high value on efficiency and continuous productivity, and that is why the ability to nap without fully 'checking out', according to experts, is a smart way to maintain focus and performance.
Does Inemuri help improve energy levels?
Worldwide, youngsters are known to be sleep deprived—napping less than six hours—which is a root cause of various deadly health issues, including heart diseases and even cancer. And so, experts believe that Inemuri should be actively encouraged—especially in countries like India where people work longer hours, travel to offices, and even indulge in physical labour.
So, if you can catch some shut-eye in the middle of the day, it not only helps you sleep better but also energises you completely. This practice involves light, non-REM sleep stages, which improve alertness and cognitive function without inducing sleep inertia or making you feel lethargic. According to studies, even short periods of light sleep can enhance memory consolidation and focus.
How to practice Inemuri?
Now you might think that Inemuri is a freeing activity and has a few strict codes of etiquette for public napping. Inemuri helps you take short naps, which means you cannot keep getting wrapped up for hours. These naps are usually what we refer to as power naps or just 15-20 minutes long. Inemuri also means being present while sleeping – which means that though you have journeyed off to dreamland, you should be able to come back to reality as soon as the situation demands. Here are a few ways you can practice Inemuri nap:
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Inemuri is typically done in a quiet place like an office or on public transportation.
- Make sure you do not sleep for too long and always set a timer for 15-20 minutes, as it will help you avoid feeling groggy or disoriented when you wake up.
- Always be in a comfortable position, like sitting upright with your back straight. If possible, lean against a wall for support.
- Take a few deep breaths to relax your body and then close your eyes.
- When your timer goes off, gently open your eyes and stretch.
- Since inemuri naps are meant to be short, make sure to avoid long naps that can affect your sleep cycle.
