A short nap of 20 to 30 minutes can improve mood, sharpen focus, and reduce fatigue. However, it's not healthy to rely on naps, and they should not replace the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Here's how to take a refreshing, productive nap that leaves you feeling better.

Why are 30 minute naps bad?

Avoid 30-minute naps. There are no significant benefits to this length of nap. Half-hour naps cause "sleep inertia," a groggy state than can last for about 30 minutes after waking up. This is because the body is forced awake right after beginning, but not completing, the deeper stages of sleep.

Is a 30 minute nap too long?

A short nap of 10-20 minutes is precisely enough shut-eye to reap the many restorative benefits of napping. 30 minutes could make you feel too groggy once you're awake. A 90-minute nap is considered best for a longer option.

Will a 30 minute nap ruin my sleep?

Do keep naps short

Naps that are just 30 minutes long can induce "sleep inertia," a period of impaired performance immediately after napping. If you nap for up to an hour or more, you might seriously impair your circadian rhythm. Plus, Dr.

How long should I nap to wake up refreshed?

The National Sleep Foundation recommend taking a 20-minute nap to wake up feeling refreshed. The ideal nap duration can vary from person to person, but most professionals agree that shorter naps are better if a person's goal is to wake up feeling refreshed and alert.

Dr. Oz on Why You Should Take a Power Nap

40 related questions found

How long is a NASA nap?

NASA's ultimate recommendation is power naps between 10 and 20 minutes long. "You'll get the most benefit from a sleep cycle without any of the grogginess associated with longer sleeping periods," explains Business Insider.

Is a 2 hour nap too long?

A 2-hour long nap may leave you feeling groggy and disrupt your nightly sleep cycle. The ideal nap length is either a short power nap (20-minute nap) or up to 90 minutes. A two-hour nap may leave you feeling groggy and hamper your normal sleep cycle.

How do you take a 30 minute nap?

How to take a productive nap

1. Sleep for 20 to 30 minutes. Any longer could leave you feeling worse or disrupt your nighttime sleep, Dimitriu says. ...
2. Nap early. Try not to nap after 3 p.m., as doing so can disrupt with the sleep you need at night-time. ...
3. Draw the blinds and check the thermostat. ...
4. Don't rely on naps.

What is the perfect nap length?

Set an alarm: Studies show that the best nap length for most people is about 10-20 minutes. This provides restorative sleep without drowsiness after waking. If you want to feel alert and productive after your nap, you can counter sleep inertia by limiting the amount of time you spend asleep.

Is it better to sleep 8 hours straight or split it up?

A number of recent studies have found split sleep provides comparable benefits for performance to one big sleep, if the total sleep time per 24 hours was maintained (at around 7 to 8 hours total sleep time per 24 hours).

Are 45 minute naps good?

One Harvard study published last year showed that a 45-minute nap improves learning and memory. Napping reduces stress and lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke, diabetes, and excessive weight gain. Getting even the briefest nap is better than nothing.

Are naps good for weight loss?

Can napping help with weight loss? To date, there's no evidence to prove that napping has a direct effect on weight loss. Still, healthy sleep habits are important for overall weight management.

Are long naps bad?

A total of 313,651 participants from more than 20 studies were included in the analysis. Some 39% of participants took naps. The analysis found that long naps (more than 60 mins) were associated with a 30% greater risk of all-cause death and 34% higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease compared to no napping.

What does a 20-minute nap do?

The 20-minute power nap -- sometimes called the stage 2 nap -- is good for alertness and motor learning skills like typing and playing the piano. What happens if you nap for more than 20 minutes? Research shows longer naps help boost memory and enhance creativity.

Is a half hour nap worth it?

A healthy adult doesn't need to nap, but can benefit from a nap of 10 to 20 minutes, or 90 to 120 when sleep-deprived. There is some evidence that older adults may benefit from napping for an hour in the afternoon.

Do naps actually help?

Studies show that an afternoon nap is great for adults, too. There's no need to feel lazy for indulging in daytime sleep. A short nap in the mid-afternoon can boost memory, improve job performance, lift your mood, make you more alert, and ease stress. Cozy up to these nap benefits.

How can I nap without feeling groggy?

Research shows that washing your face and getting some sunlight can combat post-nap grogginess, as can listening to music.
...
3. Do something energizing after your nap

1. Wash your face or splash it with cold water.
2. Drink a glass of water.
3. Eat a healthy snack or meal.
4. Do some light stretching.
5. Go for a short walk.
6. Listen to music.

Why can't I nap when I'm tired?

If you're tired but can't sleep, it may be a sign that your circadian rhythm is off. However, being tired all day and awake at night can also be caused by poor napping habits, anxiety, depression, caffeine consumption, blue light from devices, sleep disorders, and even diet.

How long is a cat nap for humans?

Take an Afternoon Cat Nap

Ideally, the nap should last between 20 and 40 minutes to avoid feeling groggy immediately after you wake up. “A quick cat nap should be restorative,” she says. Shorter naps also ensure you don't have trouble falling asleep at night.

Do naps make you live longer?

Napping 1-2 Times a Week Can Help You Live Longer, According to a Study. ... And now you don't even have to feel guilty about your occasional after-lunch naps — while other people believe that you should only sleep at night, you can actually say that you're improving your health by taking a short break during the day.

Why do naps feel so good?

The benefits of napping. ... Sleep experts have found that daytime naps can improve many things: increase alertness, boost creativity, reduce stress, improve perception, stamina, motor skills and accuracy, enhance your sex life, aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of heart attack, brighten your mood and boost memory.

Should I nap if tired?

Strong scientific evidence shows that our brains benefit from a brief period of actual sleep (a nap), not just a quiet period, to recover from fatigue and to help restore alertness. Both short (15-30 minute) and long (1.5-hour) naps can increase alertness. During the daytime, a brief nap is recommended.

What is a disco nap?

Essentially, a disco nap means having a quick siesta before you head out for that evening's activities. ... But, she adds, if you had a bad night's sleep, or need to muster the energy to follow through with plans in a pinch, a disco nap is a very legitimate way to recharge — so long as you don't sleep too long or too late.

Are 3 hour naps good?

A: Naps are OK. But you'll probably want to nap for less than an hour, and you'll probably want to nap earlier in the day, like before 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. If you can power-nap for 15 or 20 minutes, so much the better. Napping for an hour or longer increases your risk of falling into the deep stages of sleep.

Are daily naps healthy?

Napping offers various benefits for healthy adults, including: Relaxation. Reduced fatigue. Increased alertness.