Naps can be tricky. The time of day, the length, the location, and your current sleep schedule all influence the effectiveness of the nap you take. According to the infographic, the best time to take a nap is between 1:00pm-4:00pm. For most, that time is right after lunch–when it’s time to get back to work–which makes getting a little extra sleep seem impossible.
With back to back classes, and work in between until 5:00pm, when could a nap be taken? Of the four nap time lengths, 10-20 minute naps are the only feasible option. The 10-20 minute nap boosts energy and alertness–so, napping for this amount of time could give you an extra push to get through the rest of the work day.
The other best option is taking a nap for a little over an hour. This nap will allow a full trip through both light and deep sleep and helps soothe you, so you wake up refreshed without that groggy feeling.
Sleep inertia is defined as the feeling of grogginess and disorientation that can come with awakening from a deep sleep. This is the reason why many avoid taking naps. Pushing through the day when tired is preferable to that groggy feeling after a nap.
We should all get into the habit of leaning back in a quiet place. Set an alarm that gives you just enough time to get a little shut eye. Wake up and hit the ground running. Practice makes perfect, even with naps.