Unlock Your Summer Savings with 20% Off Using Code SUMMER20@CHECKOUT!

0

Your Cart is Empty

Shop
  • May 30, 2018 2 min read

    Are you a power napper? If not, you might want to consider trying out a power nap. Psychologist and author of Power Sleep, Dr. James B. Maas, was the first to coin the term “power nap.” These short bursts of sleep are typically taken after several hours of being awake and don’t include stages of deep sleep. They’re great for boosting mood, energy, creativity, and productivity and their benefits can last you all through the day.

    If you tend to feel tired during the daytime and turn to boosts of caffeine to stay focused on what you’re doing, you might benefit from power naps. The ideal power nap should last 20 to 30 minutes and should be taken about eight hours after getting up in the morning to help to counter the natural dip in circadian rhythm that occurs after being awake for a period. For most people, this dip occurs between 2 and 4 p.m.

    Here are a few tips on how to take the perfect power nap to help you rejuvenate as much as possible in a minimal amount of time.

    Before your snooze, you’ll want to choose a comfortable, dark, quiet spot where you can take your power nap. If possible, adjust the temperature in the room to ensure you are not too hot or cold. And if needed, use earplugs, an eye mask or white noise to help you tune out background noise. With time and practice, you can adjust to taking power naps under less than optimal circumstances.

    So you don’t feel anxious about when you should be getting up, set an alarm for about 20 minutes. You’ll want to get up after 20 to 30 minutes since sleeping any longer might leave you feeling groggy rather than refreshed as your sleep cycles change. The next best nap length is a 90-minute nap which allows you to sleep for one complete REM (rapid eye movement) cycle.

    If you can’t fall asleep, don’t get frustrated. It may take time to get into the groove of effective power napping. Encourage yourself to relax by meditating, listening to music, or using brainwave entertainment audios intended for power napping. Rest assured, you will get better at power napping with some practice. If you are at least resting for a short period, your body will be benefiting anyways.

    If you enjoy caffeine, try taking a caffeinated drink right before your power nap. Research shows that drinking caffeine before your nap boosts your energy better than drinking caffeine or a taking a nap alone. The caffeine takes about 20 minutes to kick in, so you’ll be feeling the effects of it just as you wake up.

    It’s not uncommon to feel disoriented and a little unstable from waking up after a power nap. To counter these feelings, try splashing some cool water on your face, having a glass of water and taking in some fresh air.

    Enjoy your power naps without feeling guilty. Sleeping for these short periods is a great way to help you improve both your mental and physical health.


    Also in Blog

    What Are Blue Light Glasses and Do They Work?
    What Are Blue Light Glasses and Do They Work?

    August 20, 2025 3 min read

    Sales of blue-light-blocking glasses have more than doubled since the beginning of the pandemic, according to recent polls. Remote work, online classes, and lockdowns have all meant more time in front of screens for many of us— and blue light glasses look like a good solution.
    Read More
    Funny illustration of an annoyed woman sitting in a boxing ring-themed bed, staring at her husband who is snoring loudly, capturing the common struggle of couples dealing with a snoring partner
    Friday Funnies: Where the Bed is an Arena and Snoring is a Battle Cry?

    August 15, 2025 2 min read

    This week, we're diving into the nocturnal world of snoozing, snoring, and the terrifying, silent pauses in between....

    Read More
    man with sleep deprivation look
    Could You Survive 30 Days Without Sleep? The Alarming Reality of Sleep Deprivation

    August 08, 2025 3 min read

    What would happen if you didn't sleep for a month? It’s a question that sounds like science fiction, but it highlights the critical role sleep plays in our health and survival.

    Read More