Should i take naps during the day

In many cultures, napping in the afternoon is not only common, but a regular part of daily life. In the United States, as many as a third of adults regularly partake in a midday catnap, according to the National Sleep Foundation. They can also keep you safe on the road, protecting you from drowsy-driving accidents. It is difficult to draw conclusions on the individual level. For example, some studies have found that adults who take long naps during the day may be more likely to have conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

The urge to sleep during the day may be a sign that they are not getting enough sleep at night, which is associated with a higher risk of developing those chronic conditions. Daytime drowsiness may also be a sign that you are getting low-quality sleep, which may indicate a sleep disorder. In some instances, napping sets up a vicious cycle.

You sleep during the day to make up for lost sleep at night, but then you have a harder time falling asleep at night because you slept during the day. Time it right. The best time to sleep is the early afternoon, when your body experiences a natural circadian dip, says Dr.

Keep it short. Abbreviated sleeps, around 20 minutes, may be best to avoid grogginess when you wake up. Shorter naps can also help to prevent you from having trouble falling asleep that evening. Time it right by setting an alarm. Get comfortable. Examine your motivation. Track how much sleep you are getting at night. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, here are some strategies you can use to rest more soundly.

Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Avoid alcohol and caffeine late in the day. These can both interfere with sleep quality. Learn about diagnostic tests and how the test results guide your…. Excessive sleepiness affects around 20 percent of the population. Hypersomnia and narcolepsy are very similar conditions, but there are some distinct differences. Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by excessive sleepiness.

You may fall asleep in conversation, at your desk at work, or…. Narcolepsy is a condition that causes them to have trouble sleeping at night and suddenly fall asleep during the day. Narcolepsy with extreme muscle…. A disability is any condition that interferes with your capacity to do your job or other daily activities.

Narcolepsy causes severe daytime sleepiness…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Nap vs. Benefits of healthy naps. Side effects of daytime sleeping. How long should a power nap be? When is the best time to take a nap? How long should a nap be for adults vs.

What happens to your body with too much or too little sleep. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. Medically reviewed by Janet Hilbert, MD. Medically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD. Idiopathic Hypersomnia vs. Nearly 60 percent of participants reported napping after lunch for about an hour. Scientists found that people who napped for 30 to 90 minutes had better word recall — which is a sign of good memory — than people who did not nap or who napped for longer than 90 minutes.

People who napped for that golden 30 to 90 minutes were also better at figure drawing, another sign of good cognition. One theory explaining poor cognition in those who take longer naps: Resting more during the day may be a sign of poor quality nighttime sleep, according to Gamaldo. Research says that the best time for older adults to take to nap is between 1 and 4 p. Ideally, the nap should last between 20 and 40 minutes to avoid feeling groggy immediately after you wake up.

Overall, studies show that people who sleep too much or too little may have poor health and even a shorter life span.