THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF NAPPING – Consumers Association Penang

Did you know a short nap in the mid-afternoon can boost memory, improve job performance, lift your mood, make you more alert, and ease stress?

Small Naps Bring Big Benefits. A nap as short as 10 minutes can be beneficial, but keep your nap to 30 minutes or less so you don’t wake up feeling more tired. That grogginess you can feel after a nap is called sleep inertia. The longer you nap, the more likely you are to have that feeling. The worse it is, the more time you’ll need to wake up and transition back to work.

When Should You Nap? Most people will find an afternoon snooze to be the most natural and helpful. Some say sleep is better between 2 and 3 pm, when humans naturally have a dip in alertness. The time that works best for you will depend on how rested you are to begin with. If you’re well-rested, a slightly later nap is better. If you’re behind on sleep, you’ll want to nap earlier.