You’ve heard the phrase, Take 10. However, you probably never thought about those 10 minutes having the capability to give yourself a three-hour boost of energy.
According to one 2006 study, napping can improve your alertness, physical performance, overall health, and give you a spurt of energy that can last for hours. However, there are a couple of tips to ensure you get the most out of your nap time.
- Keep naps at a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 45. You may only succeed in making yourself more tired if you nap longer than this.
- Experiment with your own body, since every woman needs different amounts of sleep. Some women get a huge boost from just 15 minutes, while others require a half hour just to make it through the day.
- If you can’t take a nap, and decide to rely on caffeine; don’t drink any stimulants after 2 PM. This is because the effects of caffeine can remain in the body for as long as 12-hours, which can negatively affect your sleep that night.
- If you can’t find time for naps, and you find yourself dragging in the afternoons, try to add an extra 30 minutes to your nightly sleep routine to see if that helps.
Sweet dreams.