Why The Decision On Taking A Nap Is Something You Should Sleep On

"It seems to be part of our biological rhythm to take a nap during the day," she assures. "It decreases your stress levels and gives you more energy. The beauty sleep of a nap is well known."

Dr. Sara Mednick



There's something about the concept of sleeping during the day that brings out images of slothfulness or laziness. But the truth is that's a North American conceit.

The practice of napping is a common one in much of the world, where both business and pleasure is temporarily put on hold in the middle of the afternoon for what old movie scripts used to refer to as '40 winks.'

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a good 20-30 minute rest during the day can help increase alertness, improve your mood, better your performance and make up for a lack of zzz's the night before.

The real problems come only when you sleep too long. Experts generally recommend no more than half an hour, no matter how tired you are. It's important not to disturb your regular nighttime patterns.


For Dr. Sara Mednick, a nap is good for what ails you. She's embarked on a quest to get North Americans to embrace the concept of a mid-day snooze, arguing it can actually help you live longer by reducing the threat of a heart attack, improving your memory and even helping you lose weight.

Read more after you nap.