Many people seem to believe that naps, especially short naps, aren’t beneficial.  Some say they are actually harmful in because they make one drowsy and less alert. However, research in this field suggests that any amount of sleep is good, even five minutes.

There are essentially four types of naps: a 10 to 20 minute nap, a 30 minute nap, an hour nap, and an hour and a half nap, each having its own benefits.

The power nap, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes long, is the type of nap that most people seem to take advantage of most because it only requires a short amount of time, with its benefits going a long way. A quick nap is perfect for a burst of energy and alertness, and since it is only for a short amount of time and is in the lighter stages of sleep, it is easy to get right back into the swing of things after waking up. Where many people believe a nap like this is pointless, it is often just the thing someone needs when they didn’t get enough sleep the night before; it keeps them going throughout a busy day.

The naps ranging from 30 to 60 minutes do have a slight drawback in that upon waking up from them, one may feel drowsy and groggy. However, with a 30-minute nap, restorative benefits become apparent about 30 minutes post wake up, so a nap like this is still worth it. With the 60-minute nap, there are major perks. Someone who has woken up after taking an hour nap shows an improvement in remembering facts, faces, and names.

The last type of nap, one that lasts for 90 minutes, is quite possibly the best nap to take, if time permits, of course. With a nap of this length, one would get in a full cycle of sleep with both lighter and deeper stages together. Post wakeup; people with see a major improvement in memory, as well as creativity. Also, because of the length, drowsiness and difficulty waking up is completely avoided, so it is very easy to continue on with the day afterwards

So, it turns out there is really no such thing as a bad nap. Whether it be a quick 10-minute nap, or a nap as long as an hour and a half, a nap always has its perks and is sometimes just the thing a person needs to keep up with their busy schedule.