Do you like to take naps? You don’t have to be a child to enjoy them. By understanding how and when to nap properly, you are doing your body a huge favor.
Adults are encouraged to take naps when their bodies need to recharge. There’s nothing wrong with taking some time out of your day to enjoy a few winks of sleep. Of course, there are specific benefits and drawbacks to napping as well. Before planning your nap schedule, there are a few things you should know about the do’s and don’ts of napping.
Dr. Mayank Shukla is dedicated to providing the best sleep disorder treatment in New York City. If you are interested in learning more about the ways in which napping can benefit your health, his informative guide is here to assist you through your peaceful sleeping process.
When Should Naps Be Considered?
The urge to take a nap is a natural one, and should often be listened to. There are three indicators that it may be a good idea to take a nap. If you experience one or all of the following 3 factors, you can consider napping in your near future:
- If you expect that you will have a late work shift that you will lose sleep from, so you want to catch up on sleep now
- If your doctor advises that you take a nap as part of a daily schedule
- You are experiencing new sleepiness or unexpected fatigue
What is the Proper Way to Take a Nap?
Plenty of people nap in plenty of different ways. People, especially adults, nap for a variety of different reasons, too.
But there is a “right” way to nap. Napping for too long or too little can result in increased grogginess and fatigue, rather than a decrease in these symptoms. If you want to get the most out of your power naps, take the following steps to ensure you are napping the correct way:
- The best time to take a nap is during the afternoon. People grow naturally tired around this time, especially since adults are done eating lunch. Post-lunch tiredness is a common occurrence that affects most individuals between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Another reason why this is the best time to take a nap is because it is the least likely to interfere with your nighttime sleep patterns.
- Naps should be short. By keeping naps within a time frame between 15 and 30 minutes, you are getting the most out of your power sleeps. If you nap for a prolonged amount of time, you may experience even more grogginess and irritation than you did before you started napping. Dr. Mayank Shukla has observed that the longer people nap for, the more likely they are to feel lethargic and groggy afterward.
- Nap in a nice, quiet place. Napping in a light-filled room with different sights and sounds can make you extra cranky when you wake up. Instead, find a cool, quiet, and dark place to take a nap. Try retreating to your bedroom or a guest room for a few minutes while you restore your energy.
Remember to give yourself plenty of time to wake up as well. Waking up should be a gradual and peaceful process – don’t jolt yourself awake as you rush into your next workday activity. Take a breather!
The Pros and Cons of Napping
Napping is far more beneficial than it is harmful, but it can cause distress on your body when it isn’t done right. In order to ensure that your naps will be healthy and largely beneficial, make sure to review the pros and cons of napping.
The Pros:
- You will feel relaxed after a 10-30 minute nap.
- Your mood and mental health will be improved.
- You will be less tired and more alert for the rest of the day.
- You will start to notice gradual improvements in your memory and the overall sharpness of your mind.
The Cons:
- If you nap for too long, or if you nap too frequently, you will experience grogginess and irritation when you wake up; this is also known as sleep inertia.
- If you suffer from insomnia, restlessness, or even an irregular nighttime sleeping pattern, your daily naps may affect your ability to sleep even more.
Sleep Disorder Treatment in New York City
It’s important to consult with a certified sleep doctor before determining exactly which kind of napping schedule is best for you. If you struggle with other sleep-related issues, such as insomnia, asthma, or pulmonary hardships, Dr. Mayank Shukla can assist you in finding the perfect solution to your health. If you are ready to assess your sleep needs and how to proceed with sleep disorder treatment in New York City, contact us today for more information. Or, give us a call at (917) 746-3431 to set an appointment. Dr. Mayank Shukla’s offices are located in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn for your travel convenience. We look forward to seeing you!
