On Napping: Optimizing Your SLC Nap Experience

napping optimize nap experience

On Napping: Optimizing Your SLC Nap Experience

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on napping and how it’s beneficial – if it’s done correctly. Napping incorrectly, including napping for the wrong lengths of time or making a few other common errors, may actually lead to you being more tired than you were before, but there are some simple ways to avoid these mistakes if you’re the type who enjoys a good nap.

At 2 Brothers Mattress, we’re happy to provide a huge selection of mattresses, adjustable beds and mattress accessories that are ideal not only for nighttime sleeping, but also napping for those who take part in it. In today’s part two of our series, we’ll go over some general tips for optimizing your napping experience, from the optimal time of day to some basic practices we recommend.

Time of Day

While the precise ideal timing for a given nap depends on a few individual factors, particularly your standard bedtime and wake-up time each day, most people fall into the same general ranges here. Broadly speaking, most sleep researchers recommend napping in the early afternoon for people who go to sleep at fairly normal hours – anything after 3pm or so may have an impact on your sleep for the upcoming night, or even for multiple days.

Our next several sections will go over specific tips to optimize the napping experience.

Setting an Alarm

As we noted in part one, perhaps the single most important factor in getting a good nap is how long you sleep for. We also mentioned that the ideal timing for a nap is just 10-20 minutes – and to stop yourself from going over this time, we recommend setting an alarm. Set it for a moderate volume, nothing too loud, as this will allow you to slowly return to being awake.

Caffeine Considerations

One tip that might surprise you when it comes to naps: Drinking caffeine right beforehand. Most would naturally assume that this would be detrimental to a nap, but did you know that caffeine actually takes 10-15 minutes to kick in after you take it? This means that if you’re taking the ideal 10-20-minute power nap, a little caffeine will actually help you wake back up in time.

Now, if you have problems getting to sleep right away, or if you want to take a slightly longer nap, you should avoid the caffeine.

Mattress and Sleep Comfort

Finally, ensure that just like a nighttime sleeping situation, you’re as comfortable as possible. This begins with your selection of an ideal mattress that provides full support and comfort, both for normal sleep hours and naps.

In addition, consider your environment. You should nap on your mattress if possible, for starters, and not in other locations. You should also have a dark environment that’s cool, and you might consider earbuds or a sleep mask if these help you fall asleep.

For more on napping and how to optimize your naps, or to learn about any of our mattresses or other sleep services in Salt Lake City, speak to the staff at 2 Brothers Mattress today.

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