The time change can really mess you up, and taking a nap seems like a reasonable way to cope (if you can get one)! However, there’s a right way and a wrong way to nap. Here’s what you need to know.
According to the Sleep Foundation, if you do take a nap, it needs to be a certain length to really help you feel refreshed. Sleeping more than 20 to 30 minutes will put you into deeper stages of sleep, and you can wake up feeling groggy and unfocused.
Just 20 to 30 minutes is enough to give you a boost in energy, help you
focus, and improve your mood. Sleep experts recommend setting an alarm for 30 minutes. That gives you five to ten minutes to fall asleep, and 20 minutes of actual sleep time.
Also, don’t nap too late in the day, or less than eight or nine hours
before your normal bedtime. For most people, that means no naps after 2pm. So maybe a siesta at lunchtime is your best bet.
Happy napping!
