Picture this: you’ve had a busy day and by mid-afternoon, you’re truly ready for a power nap.
Just a quick recharge before you tackle the rest of your to-do list. Just 20 minutes of closing your eyes. But it quickly turns into 2 hours, and before you know it, you’re so deep in sleep that you wake up feeling completely disoriented. Because of this, you often feel even more tired than before, and that to-do list gets even less attention.
But what is the right way to take a power nap? And exactly how long should it last?
According to research, a power nap should not last longer than 30 minutes. This keeps you in a light sleep, making it easier to continue with your day. If you sleep longer, you run the risk of entering REM sleep. This makes it much harder to get up and often leaves you wanting to stay in bed even longer.
Tips for a great power nap
Plan it!
Schedule your power nap properly. By planning your nap, you know exactly when it’s "me-time," allowing you to organize the rest of your agenda around it. It’s also important not to schedule your nap too late in the day, as this can make it harder to fall asleep at night. So, aim for early afternoon and keep it under 30 minutes!
No stress
Can’t seem to fall asleep during your scheduled time? Don’t worry about it at all. The most important thing is that you have a moment of peace for yourself. When you put too much pressure on the fact that you *must* sleep, it usually won't happen. So, just enjoy the moment you have for yourself asleep or not.
The right power nap equipment
Since it’s the start of the afternoon, it’s obviously not dark outside during your power nap. This can make it harder to drift off. A silk sleep mask can be a real lifesaver here. It allows you to create a dark environment for yourself, making it easier to fall asleep. Plus, silk has a very beneficial effect on the skin and helps prevent wrinkles. A nice little bonus, right? :)
