The power nap is a tricky thing to perfect – get it right and you’ll feel like a million dollars, do it wrong and you’ll be even more exhausted than before.
But sleep scientists say there are a few tricks to make the most out of a few minutes of shut-eye:
Set an alarm
You don’t want to snooze for more than 25 minutes, as anything longer will mean you enter the deep sleep phase. Waking up from a deep sleep can make you feel disorientated and lead to sleep inertia – a drowsiness that can last for hours.
Aim for an afternoon kip
The best time to power nap is about 3pm, as this is when the body has a natural dip in alertness. Experts say we are generally at our most awake around 9am and 9pm.
Do some exercise straight after napping
Get up as soon as that alarm goes off, and do some star jumps or deep breathing to get some energy back. This can help rev up the brain and make the effect of a power nap last even longer.
For more information, see the January issue of Good Health Choices
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