Is a power nap useful?

A power nap can definitely be beneficial, if done correctly. A power nap is a short sleep of about 10 to 30 minutes and can have several benefits for both your physical and mental health.

A short nap can improve alertness and focus. It helps to combat fatigue and increase your productivity. Short naps can have a positive effect on your mood by helping to reduce stress and restore your energy.

Power naps can improve memory and learning performance. Memories and information are processed and stored better during sleep.

A power nap allows the body to recover from physical fatigue. This is especially useful for people who do physically intensive work or exercise.

10-20 minutes is ideal for a quick boost of alertness and energy without falling into deep sleep, making it easier to wake up and not groggy. 30 minutes can also be useful, but there is a risk that you will feel a bit groggy after waking up, as you enter a deeper phase of sleep. 60 minutes or more is less of a power nap and can lead to more recovery of cognitive functions, but can also result in sleep drunkenness upon waking.

The best time for a power nap is usually early afternoon, such as between 1:00 and 3:00 PM, as this coincides with a natural dip in circadian rhythms. However, sleeping too late in the day can disrupt your sleep.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748924001949?via%3Dihub

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-14 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024