In many cultures, there is a designated period for being awake and a designated period for being asleep. In these cultures, it is typically only young children and the elderly who regularly nap. Yet many adults report feeling sleep deprived on a daily basis.
Finding time to nap throughout the day can provide many benefits, including:
- Better mood
- Improved performance
- Improved memory
- A relaxed and refreshed feeling
- Increased alertness
- Reduced fatigue
Naps are also ideal if you know that you need to be up late and have to prepare, or if you are in the middle of an important task (like driving) and need a quick nap to rest before continuing. Both naps and caffeine are great for improving alertness, and can even be timed to work together for an ultimate pick-me-up.
Considerations
While naps can benefit your day in many ways, not just any nap will do. Napping for too long can lead to feeling groggy and disoriented, a feeling known as sleep inertia that requires an adjustment period before you can jump back into your day. This adjustment period takes away from productivity and therefore reduces the effectiveness of your nap.
Napping for too long can also make you less likely to sleep well at night, and that’s not worth the tradeoff. It’s much more beneficial to your health to get a good night’s sleep than it is to nap during the day. Many individuals also have trouble sleeping in places other than their bed, which can make quick and helpful naps hard to come by.
Napping Tips
The ideal length for afternoon nap is 20 to 30 minutes. The best time to nap is around 2-3PM. This time period is not as likely to interfere with your sleep at night but is still late enough that your body is likely ready to rest. Of course, the best time for you to nap depends on your sleep and work schedule. Try to find a napping place that is quiet with minimal distractions, and also a comfortable temperature.
If you are suddenly finding yourself fatigued during the day, talk to your doctor. There could be a reason beyond just needing to nap, such as an illness or sleep disorder.
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Awake Craniotomy")
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Awake Extratemporal Cortical Resection")
.jpg&w=300&h=320 "Back Surgery")
