5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Naps!
A NASA study on pilots found that a 40-minute nap was enough to improve performance by 34%. And what’s good for NASA is good for you. Even better? A quick snooze may be exactly what you need to improve your memory.
Here are 5 ways to maximize the benefits of napping:
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Don’t oversleep. Dozing too long can be a surefire way to ruin your nap. You’ll wake up groggy, plus you’re almost guaranteed to have a bad night’s rest. Try to keep your naps under an hour. Set an alarm so you don’t oversleep, or ask a family member to wake you at a certain time.
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Sleep upright if you don’t want to fall into a deep sleep. Why not try nestling into your favorite armchair if you’re a heavy sleeper? Experts say lying down makes it easier to drift into deep sleep, so snoozing in a chair can help you take shorter naps.
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Time your naps right. Napping too close to bedtime can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. But how do you know when to take a siesta? Experts say the best time to catch some ZZZs depends on when you start your day. If you get up early, take a snooze around 1 p.m. Late risers should aim for 3 p.m.
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Dreaming during your nap? That’s a sign you’re not getting enough sleep at night. A nap shouldn’t give your body enough time to slip into REM sleep, which is when most dreams occur.
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You shouldn’t doze off during the day if you suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea. Naps can make these conditions worse.
- FC&A Staff Writer
