Power Naps: Benefits and How To Do It

Power naps or midday siestas are common in various countries like Spain and Italy. But not everyone is used to taking afternoon naps. Are power naps beneficial? What are the benefits, and how to take a proper power nap? Let us quickly explore!

What is a Power Nap?

Power naps are short revitalising naps that usually range from 10 to 30 minutes. These naps can help us maintain our sleep cycles better. That’s because we all have different types of lifestyles and obligations, which can reduce our daily recommended night sleep by 7 to 8 hours.

Whether we are morning or night people, power naps can fulfil the lack of sleep by letting us rest for a short time during the active hours. A quick nap after lunch might be the best, as sleeping too late in the day can hamper your night’s sleep.

Power Nap Benefits

Our body has a natural sleep cycle, which lasts for 90 minutes, usually. And it has several phases, such as deep sleep, light sleep, etc. Power naps are short and don’t put you in a deep sleep. That’s why you don’t wake up feeling groggy from power naps. That’s not all; a power nap is highly beneficial in multiple other ways, which are listed below:

• Power naps can recharge you with a high energy level if you’re fatigued
• If you slept less yesterday, a power nap could fulfil the minimum sleeping hours
• Power naps can elevate your mood if you’re feeling tired and bored
• Your focus and concentration power will elevate with daily power naps
• Power naps can improve your short-term memory to a great level
• Your reaction time will boost naturally if you take power naps daily

Who Are Power Naps Best for

If you sleep for at least 7-8 hours daily without any disturbances and wake up feeling fresh, a power nap isn’t for you. Moreover, you don’t need power naps if you feel energetic throughout the day without drowsiness. But, if you are sleep deprived and feel tired or groggy in the afternoon, a power nap is the best for you.

Power naps can do wonders for people in some professions where there’s a consecutive lack of sleep. For example, night shift workers need to stay awake the whole night. Or, doctors and drivers need to avoid drowsiness between work for safety reasons. 

Power Nap Time: How Long Should a Power Nap?

As mentioned above, power naps usually refer to a short sleep of 10-30 minutes. Experts suggest that a 20 minute power nap is the best one. That’s because, after 20 minutes, your body will go into deep sleep mode, making you drowsy as you wake up. But the standard time is between 10 and 30 minutes.

How to Take a Power Nap

For some people, power naps are no big deal. But, for others, it’s a process of trial and error. If you belong to the second group, here’s how to power nap easily:

Set an Alarm

First, you need to set the alarm so that you don’t end up sleeping for three hours and wake up feeling frustrated.

Make it Early

Power naps are best when taken in the early afternoon i.e. before 3 p.m. That’s because putting yourself to sleep at night can be difficult if you take a power nap in the evening.

Set the Stage

Just like your night’s sleep, your power nap needs a peaceful and dark environment. So, make sure you prepare the ambience first.

Naps Versus Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine which is a natural central nervous system stimulant that helps in fighting fatigue and drowsiness. Some people have a habit of consuming coffee before taking power naps known as Coffee Naps or Caffeine Naps. As the caffeine gets absorbed into their body, it helps them to wake up fresh. Whether this method will work for you or not depends on how coffee works on your body.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to take a power nap and stay at a high energy level, go ahead and give it a try. But make sure you maintain the ideal time of 10-30 minutes.

FAQs