{"id":30433,"date":"2017-05-21T09:15:07","date_gmt":"2017-05-21T13:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=30433"},"modified":"2022-01-20T05:51:55","modified_gmt":"2022-01-20T10:51:55","slug":"nap-tips-sleep-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/lifestyle\/nap-tips-sleep-better\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Tips for the Best Nap Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"13<\/a>
Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A mid-afternoon nap of just 10 minutes can help you stay alert for more than two hours when you’re sleep deprived, according to research<\/a>. But it’s not just insomniacs who benefit from some midday zzz\u2019s. Napping can also improve alertness, performance, creativity and provide a slew of other benefits among the well-rested and yawning masses alike, says psychology professor and nap researcher Dr. Sara Mednick, PhD, in her book <\/i>Take a Nap!<\/a>\u00a0<\/i>So how can you harness the power of a\u00a0restorative afternoon snooze fest? Read on for our expert-approved tips.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Bedroom Makeover: 9 Feng Shui Tips for Better Sleep<\/a><\/p>\n

When to Nap<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a time and a place for playing catch-up, and while some strategies are universal, others will depend a bit more on your individual lifestyle.<\/p>\n

“A 30-minute nap has been shown to improve alertness and prevent unsafe driving nearly as well as coffee, according to\u00a0one study.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1. Consider your sleep schedule.<\/h3>\n

Mednick’s book notes that the best time to get some sleep during the day\u00a0depends on when you wake up. For example, early risers who are up at 5 a.m. should nap at 1 p.m., while those who get up at 9 a.m. shouldn’t close their eyes again\u00a0until 3 p.m. You can use Melnick’s interactive Nap Wheel <\/a>to find your own best wake-up time.<\/p>\n

2. Choose afternoons.<\/h3>\n

It wasn’t until the late 80s that researchers began to hone in<\/a> on the value of midday snoozing. One of their first observations about daytime sleep was that the dreaded 3 p.m.\u00a0slump is part of human nature. They found that, left to our own devices, humans tend to sleep once for a long period at night, and once for a shorter period in the afternoon. So if you can schedule in an early p.m. siesta, there\u2019s no sense in fighting those droopy eyelids \u2014 Mother Nature approves.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Always Tired? 5 Signs You Need More Sleep<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Think ahead.<\/h3>\n

While staying up late<\/a> (or all night) isn’t good for you, if you’re going to do it, a nap may be a good idea. Researchers have found that a long session of after-lunch shut-eye\u00a0\u2014 two hours or more \u2014 can significantly improve alertness for up to 24 hours. Moreover, a preparatory nap<\/a> counteracts the effects of sleep deprivation<\/a> better than one taken after the missed sleep.<\/p>\n

4. Put safety first.<\/h3>\n

Sleeping only six to seven hours a night can double your risk<\/a> of falling asleep at the wheel, compared to getting eight hours. However, a 30-minute bout of zzz’s has been shown to improve alertness and prevent unsafe driving nearly as well as coffee. Young adults in particular benefitted the most from a quick set of zzz’s.<\/p>\n

5. Preempt a night-shift.<\/h3>\n

Anyone who works hours other than the traditional 9-to-5 can reap benefits from napping, too. A study of night-workers found that while an evening snooze\u00a0plus caffeine was the best way to stay awake, a nap alone also improved alertness \u2014 especially helpful for those who don’t like to rely on caffeine to stay awake.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>How Much Coffee Is Too Much?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"13
Photo: Twenty20<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nap Smarter<\/h2>\n

So how do you make the most of your precious rest time? These tips will help you fall asleep faster and wake up refreshed.<\/p>\n

“It can be hard to fall asleep if you are worried about whether you will wake up at the right time. Setting an alarm takes the pressure off.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

6. Time it right.<\/h3>\n

Studies have tested a wide range of nap times, but for most individuals, it seems between 10 and 20<\/a> minutes of sleep is best. Longer siestas\u00a0can cause sleep inertia<\/a>, or a period of grogginess and reduced performance caused by waking in the middle of deep sleep.<\/p>\n

7. Get a wake-up call.<\/h3>\n

“Setting an alarm is really helpful for napping,” says Dr. Janet Kennedy, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder of NYC Sleep Doctor<\/a>. “It can be hard to fall asleep if you are worried about whether you will wake up at the right time. Setting an alarm takes the pressure off.”<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>7 Bedtime Rituals to Help Banish Your Insomnia<\/a><\/p>\n

8. Find your napping happy place.<\/h3>\n

For the perfect bout of shut-eye, you want to find a dark, quiet place to lay down. If necessary, use an eye mask, ear plugs, or white noise<\/a> to help tune out disruptions. (Of course, if you’ve got a few thousand bucks to spare, you could always get one of these nap pods<\/a>. Or, the more budget-friendly alternative: the ostrich pillow<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

9. Order up a nappuccino.<\/h3>\n

A \u201ccaffeine nap,\u201d or a quick cup of something caffeinated followed by sleep, outperforms both a nap or caffeine<\/a> independently. Because caffeine takes about 20 minutes to kick in, drinking a cup before a 10- to 20-minute nap means the caffeine will start working just as you wake up, leaving you feeling refreshed and alert.<\/p>\n

10. Try meditation.<\/h3>\n

You know the feeling: You’re practically falling asleep with your eyes open, but as soon as you get all hunkered down for a few zzz’s, your mind is suddenly racing. Try calming yourself for sleep with meditation techniques<\/a> like breathing and visualizations. Need more guidance? Try this five-minute meditation app<\/a>\u00a0and pick up some of these zen products<\/a>.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>5 Blissful Meditation Studios to Stop and Feel the Zen<\/a><\/p>\n

Who Shouldn’t Nap<\/h2>\n

For some, it\u2019s worth noting, napping isn’t always the best bet. Here’s how to tell if you’re just not cut out for midday\u00a0zzz’s.<\/p>\n

11. Go with your instincts.<\/h3>\n

Dr. Kennedy notes that, “Some people just aren’t good nappers.” If all of the above tips don’t work for you (you can’t fall asleep, don’t wake up alert, etc.), you just might have to skip the midday option and make sure you\u2019re getting enough shut-eye at your regularly scheduled bedtime.<\/p>\n

12. Don’t lose sleep at night.<\/h3>\n

Got a case of insomnia<\/a>? Dr. Kennedy says napping isn’t a good bet for you. “If a person is having difficulty sleeping at night \u2014 either falling asleep or prolonged night waking \u2014 I advise against napping at all,” she says.<\/p>\n

13. Avoid being “that guy.”<\/h3>\n

Obviously, some work places are not nap-friendly. A mid-afternoon snooze at the office might suggest to your boss that you’re not that into your work. You probably don’t\u00a0want to lose your job for the sake of napping\u00a0\u2014 unless, of course, you can land a gig at one of these places<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What do you think? Are naps best for elementary schoolers or do the off-the-wall startups with nap rooms have it right?\u00a0<\/i><\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published August 2014. Updated May 2017.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A power nap can give you the energy you need to get through the day. But how long is too long? And when\u2019s the best time to snooze? Read on for our top expert-backed tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":58825,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,12,13,15],"tags":[187,280,282,341,408],"class_list":["post-30433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-mental-health","category-sleep","category-stress","tag-happiness","tag-sleep","tag-stress","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2sleep"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30433"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30433\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}