Napping is not only for the children and the age olds. It holds equal importance for the adults as well. If a person is sleep deprived or looking for a way to relax, he may be thinking of taking a nap. But one should also keep this in mind that Napping at the wrong time of day or for too long can backfire oneself.

Napping offers various benefits for the young and healthy adults which include relaxation, reduced fatigue, increased alertness, improved mood and improved performance (includes quicker reaction time, better memory, less confusion, and fewer accidents and memory).

However napping has got some disadvantages as well. Napping is not for everyone. Some people simply cannot sleep through the day and some cannot sleep on places other than their beds.

The negative effects of napping include

• One may feel groggy and disoriented after waking up leading to sleep inertia.
• One may face nighttime sleep problems with a relatively long nap during the day.

A person may consider taking a nap when

• Experience new fatigue or unexpected sleepiness.
• Are about to experience sleep loss, for example, due to a long work shift.
• Want to make planned naps part of your daily routine.

And the best way to take a nap is

• Keep naps short. Aim to nap only for 10 to 30 minutes.
• Take naps in the afternoon. The best time for a nap is usually mid afternoon, around 2 or 3 p.m.
• Create a restful environment. Nap in a quiet, dark place with a comfortable room temperature.