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Are Naps Good or Bad?

Published in Sleep Health 2 mins read

Naps can be good, depending on their duration.

The Benefits of Short Naps

According to the provided information, a nap as short as 10 minutes can provide benefits. Short naps help with alertness and can improve performance. The key is keeping the nap short to avoid feeling groggy upon waking.

Avoiding Sleep Inertia

The feeling of grogginess after a nap is called sleep inertia. Longer naps increase the likelihood of experiencing sleep inertia, which can make you feel more tired than before you napped.

Recommended Nap Duration

To get the most benefit from a nap and minimize sleep inertia, keep your nap to 30 minutes or less. Here's a breakdown:

  • 10-minute nap: Can be very beneficial for a quick boost of alertness.
  • 30-minute or less nap: Helps improve alertness without causing significant grogginess.
  • Longer than 30-minute nap: More likely to result in feeling groggy due to sleep inertia.

Table: Nap Duration and Effects

Nap Duration Benefits Potential Drawbacks
10 minutes Quick boost in alertness. Minimal, usually none.
30 minutes or less Improved alertness without grogginess Minimal, if any.
Longer than 30 minutes May lead to a deeper, more restful sleep Increased chance of grogginess and sleep inertia

Conclusion

In conclusion, naps are generally good if kept short, ideally 30 minutes or less. This way, you can benefit from increased alertness without the negative effects of sleep inertia.

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