"The appropriate nap time is usually around 20 minutes," explains Alison Kole, MD, Director of Outpatient Sleep Services at Summit Medical Group. "Longer naps tend to make individuals sleepier, in part because the deeper you go into a sleep cycle, the more likely you are to reach deep sleep." True restorative sleep lasts for about an hour and a half. If you want to be really good at anything, say learning a new language or playing an instrument, it helps to know how long a proper night's sleep is. The recommended amount of sleep for most adults is seven hours a day, but this varies depending on many factors, such as your age, lifestyle, and physical condition. Whether you need all of your daily zzz's or not, here's what you should know about the best time to take a nap. Napping during adulthood is very common. In fact, studies show that approximately 30 percent of adults take a daytime nap. Napping can help provide relief from stress, recharge our batteries, and improve our overall quality of life. It also may be helpful for maintaining or improving our performance during certain tasks, such as driving a car or taking tests. However, if you choose to nap too often or for too long, it could have negative effects on your health. Napping too much can lead to insomnia later on, while napping too short could mean you aren't getting the rest you need.