By Deb Chapman
I’ve read all sorts of things about naps—it’s good for you, bad for you—so who knows? I personally don’t take them as I always find myself waking up feeling like I have a hangover. However, according to some recent posts I’ve read, Google and Apple allow their employees to take naps, so they must be onto something. I decided I needed to investigate. What I didn’t know is that there different kinds of naps!
The “Power Nap” – A very quick 10-20 minute nap, which is just enough to get you through the rest of your day and improve your mood and productivity, but not long enough so that you wake up feeling groggy.
60 Minute Nap – Apparently this is most helpful to improve memory processing (a problem I’ve been dealing with lately now that I have an AARP card). However, you risk waking up with that groggy feeling I hate.
90 Minute Nap – This longer nap can improve your memory and creativity. And since you get a full cycle of sleep (including REM sleep), you wake up more easily and feel refreshed.
The “Caffeine Nap” – A study done at Loughborough University Sleep Research Centre in the U.K. says that you can nap and have your caffeine too! Just before your shuteye have that cup of java. The caffeine will just be kicking in as you wake up in 20-30 minutes. Brilliant!
So there you have it. My conclusion–I really need to reconsider napping. If you decide a nap should be part of your routine too, whatever you do, don’t substitute naps for your regular nighttime sleep (preferably on a nice comfy mattress).
To find out more about napping, here’s a fun How to Nap graphic from The Boston Globe.
Now, if you’ll please excuse me…it’s time for my siesta.
Deb Chapman is an ex-nonnapper and the director of marketing & member services at the International Sleep Products Association in Alexandria, Va.
