Lots of us go for yet another cup of coffee when we hit our afternoon slump, but some folks are trading in their late-day latte for a nap instead. Napping studios, like NapYork, are popping up across the country, offering weary workers snooze pods for a fee. And midday sleep can zap your drowsiness while boosting productivity, creativity, performance, memory, and mood. Ready to give it a try? This is how to nap like a pro without compromising nighttime sleep.
- Aim for 90 minutes, tops - If you really just need a quick pick-me-up, a 15- to 30-minute nap will spike alertness, says Philip Gehrman, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. But if you’re feeling mentally blocked, a longer snooze can help you feel more refreshed, a 90-minute nap covers a full sleep cycle and can help you get your creative juices flowing. Just don’t hit snooze when the alarm goes off.
- Skip your pre-nap workout - Wait until after you rest to hit the gym because exercise can stimulate the brain and make sleep more challenging.
- Be consistent with your naps - Even if you only fit in weekend naps, try to rest at the same time every day. That way your body learns when to power down and you’ll fall asleep faster. Most of us feel most tired between two and four in the afternoon, so if you start dragging and yawning then, that’s your ideal nap time.
- Make yourself as comfortable as possible - Get cozy in a comfy spot, like the couch, because it may be easier to wake up there than in their bed.
- Don't push yourself to take a nap if you just can't - Even if you’re tired, not everyone is a napper. If you try to nap three times weekly for a month and can’t snooze, or wake up more tired or cranky, then it’s probably just not your thing.
Source: Women's Health