Just as the semester starts to pick up, napping sounds ideal more and more each day. From homework and class to the gym and club meetings, daily life is exhausting. Do you ever feel like you never have time to fit a nap into your day? Here are some tips and tricks to napping:
The 10-20 minute nap. A nap that is 20 minuts max, provides a quick boost of energy, as if you drank a soda or cup of coffee really fast. Some may even call this the “power nap.” Research says that you cannot fall into deep sleep within 20 minutes, therefore it allows you to hit the ground faster ready to go.
DO NOT take a 30 minute nap. 30 minute naps make you feel sluggish and sometimes even more tired. Avoid taking 30 minute naps if you want to feel rested.
90 minute full cycle naps. Studies indicate that a 90 minute nap is a full sleeping cycle, which allows you to feel fully rested when you wake up. In 90 minutes, you can fall into your deepest stage of sleep and when you wake up, your mind is stimulated.
Nap in the afternoon. Napping between the times of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. is optimal. Napping any time after 5 p.m. can prevent you from falling asleep at night.
Where to nap: Napping in a bed can be dangerous, the temptation of continuously hitting the snooze button is there. Napping laying down on a couch or recliner is enough to comfortably fall asleep. Avoid napping sitting up, such as on a plane, it is much harder to fall sleep!
DO NOT think napping is a bad thing. Some people just avoid naps all together because they feel as if they can be doing more productive things during that time. However, napping improves your performance throughout the day. Sleep is healthy as well!
Be consistent with napping. Being consistent with your napping will actually allow you to be more productive in your day. Keeping a regular schedule of napping is now on the top of your priority list!
Reward yourself everyday with a nap, even if your to-do list is never ending!