“More than 85 percent of mammalian species are polyphasic sleepers, meaning that they sleep for short periods throughout the day.” ~ National Sleep Foundation For the most part, our average day is divided into two periods: wake and sleep. As the quoted statistic shows, 85 percent of all mammals – humans belong to this group – take a nap every day. In other words, we’re the odd ones out.

Besides isolating ourselves from most of our mammal friends, humans are perhaps the only species that doesn’t get enough sleep: about 40 percent of us do not get the recommended 7 hours per night. While napping – brief periods of rest not exceeding 90 minutes – cannot correct our sleep deficit; it can certainly improve our efficiency, health and well-being, and mood.

Healthy Napping

You may not know that they’re actually divided into three categories: emergency, habitual, and preparatory.

Habitual napping, that is, the practice of taking a nap at the same time each day, is the healthiest option. They must be planned before sleepiness sets in (prepatory) are good for someone who knows they will go an extended period without sleep. Emergency napping – or suddenly falling asleep from exhaustion – is in no way healthy, as we’ve seen from work-related disasters.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends taking 20-30 minute naps for a boost in alertness and performance. Any period of sleep lasting between 30 to 60 minutes may cause sleep inertia or a groggy feeling post-wakeup. In any case, a nap lasting between 20 to 60 minutes is mostly beneficial.

THE BENEFITS OF NAPPING

1. YOU’RE HAPPIER

Science suggests that people who take a mid-day nap of 30 minutes or less enjoy an afternoon “happy boost” more often than those who sleep longer than 30 minutes, or who don’t nap at all.

2. YOU CAN BEAT THE SLUMP

Our circadian cycle feels a “slump” around 3 p.m. – an evolutionary hiccup. However, according to Harvard University, napping is an efficient way to bust this slump. (Yes, it’s even better than caffeine!)

3. YOU MAKE FEWER MISTAKES

According to the NSF, napping improves work performance, reduces mistakes, and avoids accidents.