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National Napping Day

A fun observance on the Monday after Daylight Saving Time begins promoting the health, mood, and productivity benefits of napping to help Americans recover from the lost hour of sleep.

Monday

March 2027

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEDay After Daylight Savings Time

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYHealth

SUBCATEGORYSleep

ORIGIN

Individual Initiative

FOUNDING ENTITY

William Anthony and Camille Anthony

FIRST OBSERVED

1999

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

William Anthony, a professor at Boston University, and his wife Camille Anthony founded National Napping Day in 1999 via a BU press release. They established it to help Americans adjust to the lost hour of sleep from Daylight Saving Time and raise awareness of napping's health benefits.

Institutional Recordvia bu.edu

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to embrace the bliss of a well-deserved snooze on March 11, as we celebrate National Napping Day! This rejuvenating holiday was actually established in 1999 by William Anthony, a Boston University professor, and his wife, Camille Anthony. They created the day after realizing the health benefits of a short nap and to overcome the negative view on napping. According to them, a short nap maximizes productivity rather than being a sign of laziness. So, whether you're curling up in your coziest blanket, or grabbing 40 winks on your lunch break, let's honor the simple, restorative power of the humble nap together! Let National Napping Day be your guilt-free ticket to a refreshing break!

TIMELINE

National Napping Day Timeline

National Napping Day Established

Boston University professor William Anthony, together with his wife, Camille Anthony, initiated National Napping Day to promote the health benefits of napping and change negative perceptions around the activity.

National Napping Day Recognized

National Napping Day started to gain recognition across the United States as more individuals and organizations began acknowledging and promoting the day.

Spreading Internationally

The acknowledgement of National Napping Day started to spread to various countries around the world, bringing about global recognition.

Major Media Coverage

Large media outlets started covering National Napping Day with positive reports, further strengthening its position.

Nap Pods Introduced

Various corporations started introducing nap pods - dedicated areas for employees to rest and take a nap - citing research on the positive benefits of napping on productivity.

Digital Celebration

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the celebrations moved online, with participants sharing their nap stories and photos on various social media platforms.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Napping Day

Create a dreamy nap environment

For this National Napping Day, prioritize your comfort and create a cozy napping environment. Use soft pillows, comfortable blankets, and make sure the room temperature is just right to induce a deep, restful nap.

USE

Use calming scents

Enhance your napping experience by incorporating calming scents such as lavender or chamomile. Essential oils, scented candles, or even a spray bottle with your favorite scent can create a soothing ambiance for your nap.

LISTEN

Listen to relaxing sounds

The use of calming sounds such as white noise, gentle music, or the sound of rain can greatly enhance your napping experience. Whether you're using a sound machine or a mobile app, let these soothing sounds guide you into dreamland.

Go for a nature nap

For a unique twist on napping, consider taking your nap outdoors in a peaceful, natural setting. Whether it's in a hammock, a comfortable lounge chair, or simply on a blanket under a shady tree, the fresh air can help you relax and enjoy a refreshing nap.

HOST

Host a virtual nap party

In this day and age of social distancing, hosting a virtual nap party can be a fun and unique way to celebrate National Napping Day. Set a time, send out online invitations and enjoy a collective nap with friends and family from the comfort of your own homes.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Napping Day

National Napping Day encourages self-care

National Napping Day promotes the concept of taking care of oneself by highlighting the need for rest and relaxation amidst our busy lives. On this day, we're reminded to slow down, pay attention to our body's needs, and prioritize health and wellbeing, one nap at a time.

Napping improves health and productivity

National Napping Day is a celebration of the positive impacts of napping, dispelling the idea that it's a sign of laziness. Instead, research shows that a short nap can improve mood, boost creativity, reduce stress, and increase productivity. It's a day to recognize the health benefits of restful sleep during the day.

National Napping Day is just plain FUN!

What's not to love about having a guilt-free excuse to grab 40 winks at any time of the day? It could be on a cozy couch, in a hammock, or even at work! This day adds a touch of joy and relaxation not usually allowed in our often hectic everyday lives.