7 Reasons Why You Need A Nap Right Now!

Feeling sleepy? A quick kip could help you feel better instantly

- Clare Swatman

Taking time out of an already-busy day for a snooze might seem counter-productive, but a power nap can have so many benefits it can be worth every second.

Past politicians, such as Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Bill Clinton, are all said to have relied on a daytime nap to help them manage their full-on schedules. And it’s no wonder, seeing as a nap has been found to boost levels of alertness by 54%.* Feel you could benefit? Here’s why a well-timed snooze could work for you...

3PM

This is the optimum time for a daytime nap, says the Sleep Council. Any later, and it interferes with your sleep.

1 BOOST YOUR FOCUS

A short power nap can give your mind more clarity and help you focus. In fact, regular afternoon napping was linked to better cognitive function in adults, found a recent study in China. This is because, by letting your brain rest, you’re giving it time to replenish its energy. ‘Having a short, no more than 20-minute, nap in the mid-afternoon has been shown to boost your mental performance for 3-4 hours,’ says sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley (thesleepconsultancy.com).

2 HELP BALANCE YOUR HORMONES