Scientists Say ‘Coffee Naps’ Really Work
Coffee nap. That sounds like an oxymoron but scientists say it’s better than drinking a cup of coffee or taking a short nap alone. If you need to rest and refresh in the middle of the day, drinking a cup of coffee and then taking a quick nap is what you should do.
Related: We All Just Need A Nap
I know what you’re thinking: if you drink coffee you won’t be able to fall asleep for a nap because of the caffeine. It’s all in the timing. The trick is to fall asleep before the caffeine can kick in, but not sleep too long so that you can reap the maximum benefit of the caffeine. In order to achieve this, your nap shouldn’t last more than 20 minutes.
Here are the steps to take for a proper coffee nap:
1. Drink a cup of coffee. You need to drink it quickly, to give yourself enough time to sleep as the caffeine is going through your gastrointestinal tract and entering your bloodstream. If you can’t drink a full mug of hot coffee quickly, try a shot of espresso or some iced coffee.
2. As soon as you finish your coffee, try to go to sleep. Don’t worry if it’s not full sleep. Scientists say even a getting yourself into a calm, semi-asleep state can help.
3. Make sure to wake up within 20 minutes. Avoid entering a deeper state of slumber. You want to be awake when the caffeine reaches your brain.
Studies have shown that people who take coffee naps wake up more refreshed and alert. The subjects performed better on cognition, memory, and even driving simulator tests versus those who only napped or drank coffee.
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