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If you’re yawning your way through the afternoon, you may reach for a caffeinated pick-me-up to get past the midday slump. While that can be helpful, a buzzy trend may be even better - the coffee nap.
It’s when you drink coffee then take a short nap and experts say it can actually be more effective than either coffee or napping alone. The reason it works is that caffeine takes about 20 minutes to hit your system, which is right about the time your nap should be ending, leaving you to wake up with a double shot of energy.
The idea of caffeinating before a power snooze may seem unconventional, but science backs it up. Nutritionist Nichola Ludlam-Raine says “Studies suggest coffee naps can improve reaction times, alertness and cognitive function — especially during an afternoon slump.” But there are some things to keep in mind if you decide to try a “nappuccino”:
- Keep your nap short - No longer than 20 minutes or you risk getting into a deeper sleep, which can leave you feeling groggy.
- Time it right - According to experts, the sweet spot for midday snoozing is between 1p.m. and 3p.m. so your nap doesn’t interfere with sleep later that night.
- Drink your coffee just before you lie down - You’ll still be able to drift off since the caffeine won’t kick in for 20 minutes or so. And be sure to set a timer so you don’t sleep too long.
Source: NY Post
Photo: Getty Images