Studies show short power naps can help get you back on track.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep every night. If you’re someone who has to get up early to face responsibilities every morning but also can’t say no to just one more episode of “House of Cards,” you will probably fall short of this requirement. So, you may want to try napping. If so, you won’t be alone. According to a Pew Research Center study, 34 percent of adults nap daily.
Dr. Kathe Henke, a laboratory director at the Sleep Disorders Center of Virginia with a doctorate in respiratory physiology, says a combination of family demands, work, social media and entertainment are the main problems. But short, controlled naps can help.
“Limit it to 20 minutes before 3 o’clock,” Henke said.
Pew researchers agree that short, 10- to 20-minute long naps are preferable to longer ones and are ideal for getting the extra energy to power through the rest of the day.
