40 winks or 20 minute power nap?
40 winks or 20 minute power nap? We’ve all been there – that mid-afternoon moment when you can’t stop yawning and your eyes start to feel heavy.
Maybe you’ve enjoyed a large lunch or the sun streaming through the office window is making you want to curl up for five minutes, or maybe you’re just feeling the effects from a late night.
Whatever the reason for coming over all fatigued during the day a quick snooze can be an excellent cure all, re-charging our batteries and giving us an energy boost for the rest of the afternoon. But what is the optimum nap time?
Optimum nap time?
It’s common to hear people say they’re going to catch a quick 40 winks ie: 40 minutes – but this is not the best length of time for a nap. Researchers, experts and various studies have revealed that 20 minutes is the ideal amount, allowing us to refresh our minds and bodies without interfering with our normal night-time kip.
In 20 minutes we can fall into the early, light stages of sleep known as non-rapid eye movement, from which we can be easily roused but will awake feeling alert and refreshed.
If we nap for longer periods of between 30 and 60 minutes we’ll fall into the deeper stages of sleep and when woken, can feel groggy and confused. But a snooze of 90 – 120 minutes can also be beneficial as we will have completed at least one sleep cycle – moving from light to deep and back to light – so we wake up refreshed.
These timings are all linked to the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Over the course of 24 hours our circadian rhythm will rise and fall – going up in the morning and reaching a peak by the evening.
When we reach this peak, after around 15 hours of being awake, the pressure to sleep becomes greater and greater – we get tired. It also reaches a (smaller) peak at around lunchtime, explaining the reason why many of us may suffer from a mid-afternoon slump.
Right environment
The circadian rhythm also reacts to the environment around us so as it gets darker, it drops. It’s worth bearing this in mind when you head off for a nap as creating the right environment – as best you can – will help you snooze. An eye mask and ear plugs are good starting points.
The benefits of napping are so numerous that many global firms – including Google and The Huffington Post – have introduced relaxation areas in their offices where staff can go for a quick bit of shut-eye.
Naps are not for everyone, however. If you struggle to nod off during the day you could be one of those who aren’t good at taking a midday snooze. Experts also advise that insomniacs should avoid naps.
Is the best place to nap in a bed? Of course, the best place for a quality nap is your bed and, if you’re in need of a new bed, to guarantee a great night’s sleep and fantastic naps, the Sussex Beds team can help. We are passionate about matching our customers with the right bed for them and have more than 40 years of experience to help you find the ideal sleep surface.
Pop into one of our stores or call us on 03300 583200 to find out more.
