Does Napping Impact Your Sleep at Night?

How That Afternoon Nap Affects Your Sleep

Research shows that afternoon naps – when timed correctly – do not negatively impact nighttime sleep. In multiple studies, people who took afternoon naps obtained as much or more sleep in a 24-hour period than those who didn’t nap. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source  

In most cases, the benefits of afternoon naps far outweigh any of the drawbacks. However, if you nap too late in the afternoon, or for too long, you may experience difficulties falling and staying asleep during the night. This can occur because daytime napping reduces your sleep drive, your body’s need for sleep.

 Because of this, most experts recommend avoiding naps after 3 p.m. to limit disruptions to your sleep schedule.

When’s the Best Time to Take a Nap? It’s All About Timing

For people who maintain a traditional sleep-wake schedule, napping in the early afternoon (between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) is likely optimal. Many people naturally experience a period of decreased energy and alertness in the early afternoon, known as the “post-lunch dip”  or “afternoon slump.”  Napping during this time has been found to boost energy levels, increase alertness, improve mood, enhance memory and cognitive ability, and improve physical ability.

In general, experts recommend limiting your nap to at least 8 hours before bedtime to avoid nighttime sleep problems.

How Long Should a Nap Be?

For most people, napping for 30 minutes or less Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source will have the most beneficial effect. Shorter naps allow the body to get some light sleep without entering deep sleep. If you wake up during deep sleep, you may find yourself to be even groggier than you were before the nap. 

In some cases, napping for 90 minutes can also provide substantial benefits. Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source Napping for this length allows your body to cycle through the stages of sleep and avoids disrupting deep sleep.

“A short early afternoon nap can help you feel more alert and boost memory and performance. If your naps are getting longer and more frequent, it can be a sign that you are sleep deprived or not getting enough quality sleep.”

Dr. Pranshu Adavadkar

Sleep Medicine Physician

How To Nap Without Regretting It

If you want to get the benefits of an afternoon nap without experiencing drowsiness when you wake up, try these tips.

• Set an alarm. Shorter naps of 30 minutes or less are less likely to cause drowsiness upon awakening. Setting an alarm can help ensure you don’t nap longer than intended. 
• Nap earlier than later. If possible, aim to take your nap in the early afternoon, rather than the late afternoon. Later naps could be more likely to negatively impact nighttime sleep. 
• Block out distractions. Blocking out distractions, like noise and light, can help when you’re trying to sleep during the day. Consider using light-blocking curtains or an eye mask to block out light and earplugs or a white noise machine to block out sound
• Take a Coffee Nap. Having coffee before a short nap has been shown to help people feel more alert after a nap than just a nap alone. 

If you find yourself frequently napping during the day, you may not be getting the recommended amount of sleep you need each night. If you still need naps despite getting adequate sleep, talk to your doctor to assess your sleep quality and rule out any potential sleep disorders.