How To: Nap Like A Pro

Have you been caught napping? Good for you! Even though napping was once seen as a tell-tale sign of laziness, it’s now apparent that napping comes with a host of benefits for your well-being. 

Napping for just 10 minutes — which is known as a “nano-nap” — can boost your alertness, attention, and focus for up to four additional hours. A 20-minute nap will boost your ability to memorize and recall things, too. While any nap longer than 20 minutes might result in that dreaded groggy feeling, it’s wise to test out the amount of time that results in the most chipper, energized you. 

Today just so happens to be National Napping Day, so why not explore how taking a mental timeout can better your health and happiness? By following these simple tips, you can make the most of those extra winks and become a pro napper in no time.

Knowing what your napping “sweet spot” is extremely important to the after-effects of your little snooze. Like we mentioned, napping for longer than 20 minutes might pull you into that realm of deeper sleep — meaning you’ll feel groggy and more tired when you wake. Experts claim that recharging during a nap is best achieved when you go from “stage one sleep” (that drifting-off to sleep feeling) to “stage two sleep” (the slowing down of brain activity). For most people, this occurs during a nap that’s somewhere between 15-20 minutes long. 

When you take a nap matters just as much as how long your nap lasts. Look to the Mediterranean countries for a little inspiration in the timing category — in Spain, for instance, where the siesta reigns supreme, the designated time is approximately 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. In other words, taking a nap sometime after lunch but before dinner is usually the best time to recharge. Most people lose focus around 3 p.m. each day, so making that your assigned time for a daily cat-nap is a great idea.

Even if you don’t have access to your cloud-like Naturepedic mattress for a midday nap, you can still enjoy a siesta no matter where you are at 3 p.m. by creating a cozy nap zone. First, you’ll want to pick a place where you won’t be disturbed, like a break room, empty office, or even your parked car. Bring along some noise-cancelling headphones and maybe even a Naturepedic pillow. Make sure you put your phone in “do not disturb” mode, and before long, you’ll be drifting off to sleep!

Happy napping! 

Using caffiene to get through daylight savings time? Make sure your favorite cup of coffee isn't messing with your sleep! Check out our blog on HOW to coffee.