Snooze, You Lose?
Keep it Short and Sweet
I know once you go down for a nap, you might want to stay there for an hour–two, three–or even four (I see you, struggling college students), but studies show keeping naps within 30 minutes max is optimal–the best nap being 20 minutes. Although it might seem like not enough time to dream, experts say that these naps will make you feel the most refreshed, energized, and ready for anything the rest of the day might throw at you!
The Full Sleep Cycle, why 90 minutes Matters
A full REM cycle takes 90-120 minutes (about 2 hours) to complete. Completing the REM cycle makes our bodies and minds feel refreshed and better than ever! If it's in the books for you to take a longer nap, make sure it’s 90-120 minutes so your body can reset, and you’ll wake up feeling refreshed!
Beware the REM Reaper
If telling you how good you’ll feel by following these two crucial sleep rules hasn’t sunk in yet, maybe the REM Reaper will. When you venture outside of the full REM cycle for sleep or stop in the middle of it, waking up will feel worse than when you went to sleep! Grogginess, exhaustion, and grumpiness are all signs of the REM Reaper that has come to see you, and coffee will once again be a pedestal in your day.
Tips to Make the Most of the Mid-day Nap:
Set an alarm (and stick to it!)
Blankets and Beyond: Create the perfect nap oasis
Post-Nap Recovery: Move your body as soon as you wake up to recover quickly!
Sweet Dreams = No Sweet Treats: Avoid sugar before your nap to lessen grogginess.
Hopefully, you can now use naps as a power tool to get through the day! Naps aren’t a sign of laziness; when harnessed correctly, they can be an excellent asset in feeling refreshed throughout the day! Remember, short and sweet, 20 minutes can’t be beaten. If you need a deeper rest, put a 90-minute nap to the test!
Edited by: Esther Chung