Health: 5 Tips For Your Best Nap Ever/Helen's interview

5 Tips For Your Best Nap Ever Many people still think of napping as lazy. But if it was good enough for Albert Einstein, Margaret Thatcher, and Salvador Dali, perhaps you should give it a try? Research shows that naps have many benefits—boosting alertness, aiding memory, fending off colds. If you don’t get enough sleep at night, a nap can give you that essential energy boost to power through your afternoon. If you already sleep well, a nap can turbocharge your workday, workout, and everything in between.  What's the best nap length? Where is the best place to nap? Here’s how to make the most of your next nap.   1. Find a good spot. In honor of National Napping Day, treat yourself to the luxurious bedroom nap. Close the door; dim the lights; and close the blinds. If you don’t want to get between the sheets, cover yourself up in a blanket or quilt. Grab an eye mask if the room is too sunny. And just be sure to set an alarm clock, as napping in the spot where you sleep at night can trick your body into oversleeping. If your bedroom isn’t possible, know that the couch always works. And let us help you get over the stigma, if you have one: Napping at work is not only okay, it is a time-honored tradition.   2. Block out noise. If you’re distracted by office chatter or honking horns, soundproof your space via noise-cancelling headphones, earplugs, or a white noise app.   3. Time it right. Many people wonder about the best nap length time. A 20-minute nap is generally the sweet spot, and it’s long enough to reap the benefits (increased energy and focus, better mood). Naps in that zone keep you in the lightest stage of non-REM sleep, so you won’t veer into groggy territory. If you have the wherewithal to take a nap that’s an hour and a half or longer, great. That’ll take you through a full REM cycle. But ultimately, the best nap length is as long as you have!    4. Don’t nap too close to bedtime. Early- to mid-afternoon is often the best time for a nap. Say, between 1 and 3, though this varies on what time you get up, eat lunch, and go to bed, as well as how much physical and mental activity you’ve exerted. When in doubt, err on the earlier side to avoid interfering with your nighttime sleep. The best time for a nap is when you'll still have many energized hours to follow before you call it a day.   5. Ease back into your day. Create a mini ritual: You might drink some mint tea; splash water on your face; and take a quick walk. Do whatever you need so you can emerge refreshed, recharged, and ready to absolutely crush the rest of the day. https://www.bollandbranch.com/blogs/content/5-tips-for-your-best-nap-ever Helen’s interview