Afternoon Naps Could Be Ruining Your Sleep

Napping during the day is often thought of as a good way way to catch up on lost sleep or to just give your day a recharge. However, napping during the afternoon can lead to serious consequences to your overall sleep. Because of this, naps should be enjoyed in moderation for both physical and mental health benefits.

Taking a nap too close to bedtime can leave you feeling energized and wide awake, rather than reaching adequate restfulness. This can lead to a decrease in overall sleep quality and an increase in fatigue during the day. Additionally, excessive napping can be a sign of an underlying health condition such as sleep apnea or depression.

To ensure that you’re getting the right amount of sleep, it’s important to plan a napping schedule which fits your lifestyle and schedule. Short naps during the day are beneficial to help you power through the day, but should not become a habit. Naps late in the day should be avoided in order to ensure a successful night of sleep.

The Benefits of Napping

Though you should take caution when napping during the day, many people can benefit from a short afternoon nap. Taking a nap in the afternoon can lead to a variety of physical and mental health benefits. From helping improve memory to increasing alertness, taking a short nap during the day can be incredibly beneficial.

Additionally, if you’re deprived of sleep over a few days, napping has been shown to help catch up lost sleep. Naps can help reduce stress and improve cognition, as well as boosting mood and motivation.

Finding the Right Balance

Though naps can be enjoyed in moderation, it’s important to keep in mind that too much can disrupt natural sleep patterns and lead to health consequences. Napping too much can lead to difficulty falling asleep at night and poor performance during daily activities. The best way to ensure good sleep health is to find the right balance of napping during the day.

Generally, if you need to nap during the day it’s best to keep it to 20 minutes or less. Anything longer than that is considered a deep sleep and can lead to feeling drowsy and sluggish in the following hours.

If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, it’s likely best to avoid napping if possible. If napping is necessary, the best time is typically between 1 and 3 in the afternoon. This will give you enough time to shake off the effects of the nap before bedtime.

Take Away Tips

• Napping should be done in moderation to prevent interrupting nighttime sleep.
• Short naps can help improve memory, alertness, and reduce stress.
• Naps longer than 20 minutes should be avoided.
• The best time to nap is typically between 1 and 3 in the afternoon.
• If possible, try and avoid napping to ensure a successful night of sleep.

Conclusion

Napping during the day can be beneficial and enjoyable, however it’s important to find the right balance. Anything over 20 minutes can be counter-productive and can cause disruption in sleep patterns. The best way to ensure good sleep health is to plan adequate sleep and if necessary, take a short nap in the afternoon.