Lunchtime Food Coma
Every day it is a struggle to overcome the coma that comes after lunch. Especially if the class at 1 pm is community oral health, research principles, or embryology. What is the class that puts you sleep in dental assisting school?
It’s not realistic to eat a meal, then magically get to class or clinic. So I read on some tricks that can potentially help you, especially if you are taking the Dental Assisting National Board Exams®. Then I tried the new strategy.
After some research, I learned about “coffee naps” — drinking coffee immediately before a 20-minute nap.
Take a shot of espresso
Set timer for 20 minutes on the phone
Immediately lay down and close your eyes
This is how it why it works: You see, when we’re tired, our body produces a chemical called adenosine, which binds to adenosine receptors in our brains. The longer we’re awake, the more adenosine accumulates, and the more tired we feel.
However, what makes espresso naps so powerful is the 20-minute timing.
According to this Harvard study, we sleep in 90 to 120-minute intervals, called ultradian rhythms. After 20 to 30 minutes, we fall into deep sleep. If we wake up in deep sleep, we’ll emerge feeling groggy and disoriented. Napping for 20 minutes will leave us most energized, in the shortest amount of time.
Similarly, caffeine takes 20 to 30 minutes to go through our system. Thus, by the time we drink espresso and finish our 20-minute nap. Despite the awesome science and reasoning, you’re probably still thinking …
How in the hell will people at dental assisting school react to me taking a nap? Great question. Haters are gonna hate. But try to explain to them the science of espresso naps. Feel free to throw in fancy words like adenosine receptors and ultradian rhythms.
At SmarterDA, we are always trying to find ways to help our test-takers be more productive and be a success at the DANB® (CDA®, NELDA®, COA®, CPFDA®, CRFDA® exams). If you have any suggestions, feel free to share! Together we can help more test-takers!
Author: Claire RDH, MS
Claire is the founder of StudentRDH and SmarterDA – exams prep solutions for the dental hygiene and dental assisting students. The online solutions deliver content of the highest quality through the latest e-learning technology. According to some students, studying is now “addictive!” Prior to her career in the dental field, Claire Jeong was an education specialist at Boston Children’s Museum. Claire is licensed to practice in the United States as well as Canada. She provides personalized mentorship and can be reached at ClaireJ@SmarterDA.com and support@SmarterDA.com.
Disclaimer: DANB® CDA®, NELDA®, COA®, CPFDA®, CRFDA® are registered service mark of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (“DANB”). This article is not reviewed or endorsed by or affiliated with DANB.