For babies and toddlers, naps are a regular and necessary part of everyday life and essential for growth, development and overall health. But what about adults - do we need to nap too?
There has been a debate for decades about whether napping in adults is ultimately good for health. Napping can certainly be beneficial, if done correctly and under the right conditions (time of day, sleep duration, and so on). Here's what sleep experts say:
How long should you sleep? Try to nap for 20-30 minutes, recommends The National Sleep Foundation. A 20-minute nap (set the alarm!) provides you with light sleep without sinking into the deeper stages of sleep - this helps you feel refreshed and not have problems sleeping at night.
However, a nap lasting about an hour and a half also has benefits, especially for shift and emergency workers. Longer naps can make you feel tired and sleepy, but a 90-minute nap can allow the brain to sleep through the entire sleep cycle.
When is the best time of day to take a nap? If you need to sleep, the best time is early afternoon. Napping too close to bedtime or any hour after 3pm can affect the quality of your night's sleep.
