How power naps can give you an energy boost and improve your health into old age
An afternoon catnap lasting from 10 to 30 minutes can leave you refreshed and recharged, and even strengthen your mental health over time
Many people swear by afternoon naps. You might take one after your early shift, during your lunch break while working from home, or at the weekend.
The first rule of afternoon napping is an alarm clock: if you do not want to feel groggy afterwards, you need to limit the duration.
Two experts weigh in on the benefits and how to make the most of this break in your day.
Is taking an afternoon nap healthy?
“Yes, but only if they’re power naps,” says Markus Specht, director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sleep Medicine at DKD Helios Clinic in Wiesbaden, Germany. These are short naps of about 10 to 30 minutes – also called catnaps – that end before you enter deep sleep.
