The Art of the Perfect Nap
3 days, 23 hours ago

The Art of the Perfect Nap

Wired  

THIS ARTICLE IS republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Studies suggest that a short nap during this period—ideally followed by bright light exposure—can help counteract fatigue, boost alertness, and improve cognitive function without interfering with nighttime sleep. These “power naps” allow the brain to rest without slipping into deep sleep, making it easier to wake up feeling refreshed. And if a nap is taken too late in the day, it can eat away from the “sleep pressure build-up”—the body’s natural drive for sleep—making it harder to fall asleep at night. Shift workers often struggle with fragmented sleep due to irregular schedules, and a well-timed nap before a night shift can boost alertness and reduce the risk of errors and accidents.

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History of this topic

Do you nap often? Neuroscientist explains why it is your brain's anti-ageing superpower, shares tips to do it right
1 week, 2 days ago

Do you nap often? Neuroscientist explains why it is your brain's anti-ageing superpower, shares tips to do it right

Hindustan Times  

In a fast-paced world where productivity often takes precedence over rest, napping is frequently dismissed as a luxury or worse, a sign of laziness but according to neuroscientist Dr Nas, naps are nothing short of a superpower. Naps keep your brain young Research suggests that napping can significantly benefit cognitive function and taking to his Instagram handle earlier last month, …

Wide-awake at night but tired in the morning? Here’s what could help
1 week, 5 days ago

Wide-awake at night but tired in the morning? Here’s what could help

CNN  

Summary Feeling tired in the morning but alert at night is a common problem linked to disrupted sleep patterns or disorders. You’re tired in the morning but not at night If someone consistently wakes up tired, they first need to start tracking their sleep patterns— when they get into bed every night and when they wake up, said Dr. Michelle …

Feeling groggy in afternoon? Here’s how to nap right way
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Feeling groggy in afternoon? Here’s how to nap right way

Deccan Chronicle  

Now that she’s working from home, Kendra King takes an early afternoon nap on most days, typically for about 20 to 30 minutes. “Then I end up drifting off and wake up feeling energized and fresh to continue on my day.” King didn’t realize she had settled naturally into the napping routine that sleep experts recommend. “It’s like putting yourself …

Five daytime hacks to fight fatigue and improve your sleep (while you're awake)
2 months, 1 week ago

Five daytime hacks to fight fatigue and improve your sleep (while you're awake)

BBC  

Five daytime hacks to fight fatigue and improve your sleep Getty Images The secret to feeling good after a night's sleep may start during the day. Eat your greens Several large-scale studies have found that adults who consume more fruits and vegetables report better sleep, while those who consumed more fast food and soft drinks report worse. Meanwhile, a randomised …

Can't sleep at night? Study names two popular work habits that might be the culprit
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Can't sleep at night? Study names two popular work habits that might be the culprit

Hindustan Times  

Sleep is known as the bedrock of health as a good night’s sleep is very important for the entire physical and mental wellbeing. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology and led by University of South Florida psychologist Claire Smith pointed out certain work habits that affect sleep. The study narrowed down to two main work habits …

How to have a great day at work: Unlock the power of a midday nap
4 months ago

How to have a great day at work: Unlock the power of a midday nap

The Independent  

Rolling into this grey December feels like a fitting time to talk about the power of rest, naps specifically, and the great wellbeing benefits they can bring. Working with Team GB to figure out a plan for best sleep naps at the last Olympics, she explains the terminology is actually “micro boost”, meaning simply a micro sleep which has been …

Your instincts on how to fight insomnia are probably wrong
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Your instincts on how to fight insomnia are probably wrong

NPR  

Your instincts on how to fight insomnia are probably wrong toggle caption Shirley Chong for NPR Sign up for Life Kit's Guide to Better Sleep, a limited-run newsletter series. There’s no need to take extreme measures to correct a few lost hours of shut-eye, says Dr. Ravi Aysola, a sleep expert and pulmonary critical care doctor at University of California, …

An expert’s guide to the true power of napping the right way
7 months ago

An expert’s guide to the true power of napping the right way

The Independent  

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The tiny change to your evening routine that scientists say will help you sleep
8 months, 1 week ago

The tiny change to your evening routine that scientists say will help you sleep

The Independent  

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Kareena Kapoor’s nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar recommends taking a nap in afternoon for a better night sleep
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Kareena Kapoor’s nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar recommends taking a nap in afternoon for a better night sleep

Hindustan Times  

Kareena Kapoor’s nutritionist, Rujuta Diwekar, shared a video on her social media channels addressing the importance of quality sleep after the age of 40. Rujuta brought our attention to the importance of having quality sleep after the age of 40. There’s a lot of chatter around weight loss, supplements, surgeries, etc., but sleep remains underrepresented, whether in medical advice or …

Why napping is good for you
1 year ago

Why napping is good for you

Live Mint  

Despite marking the World Sleep Day on Friday, a big chunk of the global population likely spent long hours the past weekend either fighting to fall asleep, or fighting sleep. Naps longer than 30 minutes can produce impairment from sleep inertia for a short period after waking, but then produce improved cognitive performance for a longer period lasting up to …

Seven ways to improve your sleep according to science
1 year ago

Seven ways to improve your sleep according to science

BBC  

Seven ways to improve your sleep according to science Getty Images To celebrate World Sleep Day, here's our science-based guide to getting the best slumber you can – from varying sleep with the seasons to taking inspiration from the past. Slumber in two shifts Today, when people wake up in the middle of the night, it's not unusual to panic …

World Sleep Day 2024: Debunking 5 myths about a good night sleep
1 year ago

World Sleep Day 2024: Debunking 5 myths about a good night sleep

India TV News  

World Sleep Day is a global call to action to emphasise the importance of healthy sleep. This World Sleep Day, let's debunk 5 common myths and shed light on the realities of achieving restful sleep. However, exposure to artificial light, especially blue or white light, can disrupt the body's natural production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep and …

How to take the perfect nap : Life Kit : NPR
1 year, 1 month ago

How to take the perfect nap : Life Kit : NPR

NPR  

How to take a refreshing nap Ever woken up from a nap and felt more tired? To avoid that, you'll need to keep your naps "consistent, early and brief," says Jade Wu, a sleep medicine specialist and the author of the book Hello Sleep. Nap early in the day From the moment you wake up in the morning, sleep pressure …

The power of a quick nap in the middle of your workday
1 year, 2 months ago

The power of a quick nap in the middle of your workday

Live Mint  

For many people, a cup of coffee is the perfect pick-me-up to help them sail through office hours. Management consultant Sreejith Sreedharan, author of Future of Work: AI in HR—The Paradigm Shift, is a big believer of nap breaks at office—one nap refreshes him—especially considering rising levels of stress in employees. “That’s why there’s an urgent need for management to …

The best napping method to help with pulling an all-nighter
1 year, 5 months ago

The best napping method to help with pulling an all-nighter

The Independent  

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Want To Overcome Sleeplessness? Follow These 5 Amazing Tips
1 year, 6 months ago

Want To Overcome Sleeplessness? Follow These 5 Amazing Tips

News 18  

Nowadays, most of us struggle with the problem of sleeplessness. If one doesn’t sleep well at night, they can face many problems like fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbances throughout the next day. They should also make it a habit to go to bed at a specific time each night, which will help them get a good sleep at night. Reading …

Short naps can improve memory, increase productivity, reduce stress and promote a healthier heart
1 year, 6 months ago

Short naps can improve memory, increase productivity, reduce stress and promote a healthier heart

Hindustan Times  

Napping during the day is an ancient custom that is practiced worldwide. Napping can have drawbacks One condition associated with napping longer than 30 minutes is sleep inertia – the grogginess and disorientation that people sometime experience after waking from a longer nap. Long or late afternoon naps can also interfere with nighttime sleep, either by leading to difficulties falling …

Regular napping could be good for brain health, research suggests
1 year, 9 months ago

Regular napping could be good for brain health, research suggests

The Independent  

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Adults who take daytime naps could have bigger brains
1 year, 9 months ago

Adults who take daytime naps could have bigger brains

The Independent  

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Do You Catch Up on Lost Sleep with Daytime Naps? It May be Bad for Your Heart Health, Shows Study
1 year, 10 months ago

Do You Catch Up on Lost Sleep with Daytime Naps? It May be Bad for Your Heart Health, Shows Study

News 18  

Are you catching up on lost sleep at night with excessive daytime napping? “Previous studies have suggested that sleep patterns may play a role in the development of atrial fibrillation, but as far as we know this was the first study to analyse the relationship between daytime napping and the risk of arrhythmia,” said author Dr Jesus Diaz-Gutierrez of Juan …

Too much phone, long daytime naps to high caffeine: Habits that hamper your sleep
1 year, 10 months ago

Too much phone, long daytime naps to high caffeine: Habits that hamper your sleep

India TV News  

Too much phone, long daytime naps to high caffeine: Habits that hamper your sleep A good night's sleep is always very effective in rejuvenating our energy levels, and keeping us healthy. Here are some unhealthy lifestyle habits that negatively affect our sleep routines. The lifestyle of today has made the sleep routine of many suffer and that has drastically affected …

These Sleep Habits Are Putting Your Heart Health At Risk
2 years ago

These Sleep Habits Are Putting Your Heart Health At Risk

Huff Post  

Boy_Anupong via Getty Images In addition to eating nutritious foods and exercising, sleeping is important for your heart health. While it’s well known that exercise, healthy eating and managing things such as high blood pressure and cholesterol are crucial for your heart health, it turns out your sleep habits play a big role, too. This shows that if you take …

How to improve your naps, according to experts
2 years, 1 month ago

How to improve your naps, according to experts

Salon  

We all have trouble sleeping sometimes, no matter how much effort we put into improving our sleep hygiene. "When you're struggling with your sleep, you'll probably feel moody, anxious, maybe even with some mild depressive symptom," Pereira said. "If you are very sleep deprived when you start your nap, your brain may progress to deep sleep more quickly," the CDC …

5 Proven Hacks To Help Improve Quality Of Your Sleep
2 years, 3 months ago

5 Proven Hacks To Help Improve Quality Of Your Sleep

News 18  

Ever found yourself dreaming about a relaxing good night’s sleep? Here are 5 proven tips that can help you finally have that sleep of your dreams: Put A Stop To CaffeineIt might sound like a no brainer but the amount of people who consume caffeine before bed is astonishing. In fact, a study has found that taking a moderate dose …

Study Finds Sleeping More Does Not Improve Well-Being
2 years, 8 months ago

Study Finds Sleeping More Does Not Improve Well-Being

News 18  

Depriving ourselves of sleep is never a good idea. A new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology finds that the duration of the sleep does not matter for the well-being of individuals rather the quality of sleep matters. However, the increased duration of sleep did not improve the productivity, earnings, financial choices and sense of well-being of the participants, …

10 'Harmless' Nighttime Habits That Are Secretly Ruining Your Sleep
2 years, 9 months ago

10 'Harmless' Nighttime Habits That Are Secretly Ruining Your Sleep

Huff Post  

Oscar Wong via Getty Images Experts share the common nightly behaviors that could be the source of your exhaustion. “In addition, watching TV at night can lead to binge-watching ― especially when watching Netflix shows that tend to autoplay a fresh episode as soon as one ends ― delaying bedtime and leading to less time for sleep.” Finally, if you …

Napping Too Much? Expert Reveals Reason Behind Sleep Addiction
2 years, 11 months ago

Napping Too Much? Expert Reveals Reason Behind Sleep Addiction

News 18  

After a hectic day at work, we need adequate sleep as it rejuvenates our system and makes us prepare for the next day. Despite sleeping for 7 hours, if you don’t feel rested and crave naps during the day, it may indicate a sign of sleep addiction. Dr. Asma said, “An average adult needs at least 7 hours of undisturbed …

Give it a rest: why afternoon naps can improve memory and alertness
4 years ago

Give it a rest: why afternoon naps can improve memory and alertness

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

Why afternoon naps are good for you
4 years, 1 month ago

Why afternoon naps are good for you

Live Mint  

If the urge to take a nap hits you in the middle of the day, give in. A new study published in the prestigious journal General Psychiatry suggests that taking a regular afternoon nap may be linked to better mental agility. But research published to date hasn't reached any consensus on whether afternoon naps might help to stave off cognitive …

Do power naps work? The science behind Boris Johnson’s reported Churchillian technique
4 years, 2 months ago

Do power naps work? The science behind Boris Johnson’s reported Churchillian technique

The Independent  

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Expert shares her simple five-step guide to the perfect nap
5 years, 2 months ago

Expert shares her simple five-step guide to the perfect nap

Daily Mail  

Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo has shared her simple five-step guide to the perfect nap, and revealed why taking time to sleep during the day can work wonders for your personal and professional life. Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo has shared her simple five-step guide to the perfect nap, and revealed why taking time to sleep during the day can work wonders …

In defense of napping: New study says snoozing, heart health are linked
5 years, 6 months ago

In defense of napping: New study says snoozing, heart health are linked

Salon  

Napping, an activity observed in most mammals and many other mammals, attracts controversy among humans. Researchers from the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland, published their findings in Heart, in which they studied the association between napping frequency, duration and the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease complications. "Subjects who nap once or twice per week have a lower risk …

Sleep: Too much is linked to a greater chance of disease or death
6 years, 3 months ago

Sleep: Too much is linked to a greater chance of disease or death

CNN  

The recommended amount of sleep for adults is six to eight hours a night. "Daytime napping was associated with increased risks of major cardiovascular events and deaths in those with six hours of nighttime sleep but not in those sleeping 6 hours a night," Wang said. The team found that for every 1,000 people sleeping the recommended six to eight …

14 of the biggest sleep myths debunked
6 years, 5 months ago

14 of the biggest sleep myths debunked

The Independent  

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Dr Carmel Harrington reveals the sleep mistakes we're all making
6 years, 10 months ago

Dr Carmel Harrington reveals the sleep mistakes we're all making

Daily Mail  

A blissful and restorative night's slumber can leave you feeling as though you can take on the world. Australian sleep expert Dr Carmel Harrington said if you want the most restful night's sleep possible you need to make sure your body, and mind, is properly primed. Australian sleep expert Dr Carmel Harrington if you want to get the most restful …

What I learned by living without artificial light
6 years, 11 months ago

What I learned by living without artificial light

BBC  

What I learned by living without artificial light Getty Images Light suppresses melatonin and tells our body to be alert, so using candles rather than bright lights at night may help you sleep better Linda Geddes decided to live for weeks in only candlelight – no bulbs, no screens. One 2015 study suggested that using an e-reader before bed prolonged …

Guilty about that afternoon nap? Don't be — it's good for you
7 years, 2 months ago

Guilty about that afternoon nap? Don't be — it's good for you

ABC  

You may be familiar with that feeling of overwhelming sleepiness during the mid-afternoon. Taking the time for a brief nap will relieve the sleepiness almost immediately and improve alertness for several hours after waking. Napping rates are greater in countries like Greece, Brazil and Mexico that have a culture of siesta, which incorporate "quiet time" in the early afternoon for …

Short naps will make you happier, reveals study
7 years, 2 months ago

Short naps will make you happier, reveals study

The Independent  

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How sleeping less could severely damage your brain
7 years, 7 months ago

How sleeping less could severely damage your brain

Deccan Chronicle  

Are you getting less that six hours a sleep a night? Now, researchers from Quebec-based digital health company Medisys have found it can severely damage the brain, the Daily Mail reported. People who habitually get less than six hours of sleep a night, may not even be aware of the damaging health effects occurring in their brain. While getting less …

Afternoon naps could improve thinking and memory skills, says new research
8 years, 2 months ago

Afternoon naps could improve thinking and memory skills, says new research

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Wandering off for an afternoon nap might not the best way …

Sleep Deprivation Is Killing You And Your Career
8 years, 6 months ago

Sleep Deprivation Is Killing You And Your Career

Huff Post  

The next time you tell yourself that you'll sleep when you're dead, realize that you're making a decision that can make that day come much sooner. So when you don't get enough sleep, the toxic proteins remain in your brain cells, wreaking havoc by impairing your ability to think--something no amount of caffeine can fix. Avoid Blue Light at Night …

Taking quick naps while studying boosts focus and memory: Study reveals
8 years, 6 months ago

Taking quick naps while studying boosts focus and memory: Study reveals

India Today  

With the changing scenario of education in India, a constant change is being seen in the way education is imparted to students in many schools. Improper sleep causes the brain to seize proper functioning, affecting cognitive abilities and emotional state; it can also interfere with balance, coordination and decision-making abilities, and hence, would adversely affect the performance of a child …

Guide reveals how to get the most out of your afternoon doze
8 years, 7 months ago

Guide reveals how to get the most out of your afternoon doze

Daily Mail  

While napping for half an hour makes people feel groggy when they wake A doze lasting for 20 minutes is ideal for those seeking an energy boost New graphics from Dreams reveal how long the perfect nap should be Muhammad Ali, Leonardo da Vinci and Winston Churchill all swore by a daytime doze - so why is there a stigma …

Why it's a brilliant idea to nap during the day
8 years, 8 months ago

Why it's a brilliant idea to nap during the day

India Today  

So, Rahul Gandhi dozed off during a Parliament session, and gave us a meek reason to smile in an otherwise-not-so-bright day. A NASA study found that a 40-minute nap increases alertness by 100 per cent. Those who suffer from narcolepsy or shift-work syndrome may also benefit from daytime naps, says James Wyatt, PhD, director of the Sleep Disorders Service and …

Simple steps to get good night sleep[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
8 years, 9 months ago

Simple steps to get good night sleep[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

A US-based expert suggests regular wake-up time and lifestyle changes to handle insomnia, Liu Zhihua reports. About 5 to 15 percent of people have significant insomnia worldwide, with depression, such anxiety disorders as obsessive compulsive behavior, and sleep apnea being the most common causes, he says. In fact, having a regular wake-up time is more crucial than having a regular …

Simple steps to get good night sleep[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn
8 years, 9 months ago

Simple steps to get good night sleep[1]- Chinadaily.com.cn

China Daily  

A US-based expert suggests regular wake-up time and lifestyle changes to handle insomnia, Liu Zhihua reports. About 5 to 15 percent of people have significant insomnia worldwide, with depression, such anxiety disorders as obsessive compulsive behavior, and sleep apnea being the most common causes, he says. In fact, having a regular wake-up time is more crucial than having a regular …

To sleep, perchance to dream, in an increasingly bright world
9 years ago

To sleep, perchance to dream, in an increasingly bright world

LA Times  

The bright lights of big cities may be contributing to our national sleep deficit, says new research released Tuesday. Over eight years, Stanford neurologist Dr. Maurice Ohayon and his team interviewed 15,863 people from cities large and small about their sleep patterns. Compared with people living where crickets chirped and stars could be seen in the night sky, those living …

Five ways to get a better night's sleep
9 years, 1 month ago

Five ways to get a better night's sleep

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. …

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