Sleeping smart: Why a 30‑minute nap is your energy booster
11 June 2024 15:27
A nap is the best way to rejuvenate the entire body. Just a few minutes of sleep during the day gives us the energy to act. Do you know how long a nap should last? Doctor Anna Kieszkowska-Grudny leaves no doubts.
You return home after a long, stressful day at work. You feel like you can’t stand on your feet any longer. A nap seems like the only reasonable solution. It allows you to cut off from everyday problems momentarily.
Sometimes, we feel even more tired after waking up than before falling asleep. This is a common problem that stems from the length of sleep. How long should an afternoon nap last to wake up rested?
How long should a nap last?
Doctor Anna Kieszkowska-Grudny is an experienced neuropsychologist and psychotherapist. On the programme "No Stupid Questions," which aired on VOX FM, she discussed the role of sleep and whether a nap helps combat fatigue.
"If someone can take a 1-2 minute nap, that's fantastic," she began.
How long should the perfect nap last? The shorter, the better, but it should not exceed 30 minutes from the moment you fall asleep. After 30 minutes, the brain enters a deep sleep phase, waking up during this phase results in even greater fatigue.
"If we have too many relaxing and regenerative parts, our body won't have enough time to get sufficiently tired to feel sleepy," she explains.
If you need a nap and don't want to have trouble falling asleep later, try to fall asleep before 9:00 PM GMT. Why at this time? Between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM GMT, the body produces melatonin. This hormone is responsible for feeling sleepy. If you wake up later, you might disrupt its production and have trouble falling asleep generally in the evening.
Lie down and set an alarm. This will ensure you have energy for the rest of the day
A nap is an excellent way to rejuvenate the body. How do you organise a nap? Half an hour before the planned nap, set an alarm. Refrain from watching TV or scrolling through your phone. Lie down and try to fall asleep as quickly as possible. Get up as soon as you hear the alarm. Do not extend the nap even if you feel the need to. After 15 minutes, you will feel much more energised. This method is used by, among others, Albert Einstein and Salvador Dali.
