Nanna nap, siesta, kip, snooze, catnap, we love our naps!
We've previously discussed the importance of good sleep here, but naps can be a great way to catch up on lost sleep from the night before & can provide health benefits including:
Increased alertness
Reduced fatigue
Improved mood
Relaxation
Improved motor performance: faster reaction time & better memory
In fact, naps have even been shown to provide benefits to those who typically get the amount of sleep they need!
How long should you nap?
Between 20-60mins is our recommendation.
It's important that your napping does NOT negatively affect your nighttime sleep. We recommend avoiding napping after 3 pm to avoid impacting your night's rest.
Feeling groggy after taking a nap?
This is called sleep inertia. You may have slept too long, but another strategy we often recommend is the "nappachino". Consume a cup of your favourite caffeinated brew just before your nap, & by the time you wake, the caffeine will have kicked in
A constant need for napping can indicate underlying health or sleep issues, so consult your health practitioner if this is you!
Who else loves to take a nap?
References
Walsh, N. P., et al. (2021). "Sleep and the athlete: narrative review and 2021 expert consensus recommendations." British Journal of Sports Medicine 55(7): 356-368.