We’ve all felt the tug of pure exhaustion and opted for a nap that we probably regretted. Maybe we fell asleep awkwardly and woke up achy, felt groggier than recharged, or couldn’t fall back asleep at our normal bedtime. An ill-planned nap can backfire, but there are some ways to ensure your nap is giving you all the benefits and none of the remorse.
Timing - The ideal time for a nap is early afternoon, between 1pm and 3pm. Our bodies naturally experience some fatigue during this period of the day, and it is early enough that it isn’t likely to interfere with our normal sleep time.
Length - Determining how long your nap should depend on what you want to get out of it and of course, how much time you can afford during the day. A solid slumber of at least 45 minutes is necessary to jumpstart recovery as it allows time for your body to fall into a deeper sleep. If you only have 20 minutes, it’s still enough for an energy boost to get you through the afternoon.
Setting - While finding a cool, dark, quiet sleep sanctuary for your midday nap is ideal, it’s not always possible. If you need to improvise away from the comfort of your own bedroom, consider getting some quality eye shades and earplugs. Make sure to find a comfortable reclined position to take all the stress off your muscles and joints.
Scheduling - If you are training for a fight or a big game, it might help to calendar in your daily naps like Rocky and Lebron. Keeping the same nap time consecutively can help your body develop a natural schedule around restful recovery. During intense training periods, Dr. Bender recommends an extended nap length of around 90 minutes for athletes.