While some might say it's 5 p.m. and others will say it's anytime you're with friends and family, after being in college for four years, I've learned that the best time of the day is nap time. It might be at noon or 7 p.m., the best part about nap time is that it can be whenever. Here are just some of the best parts of taking naps.
You (usually) feel refreshed
Nap time is the best way to supplement a lack of sleep in a given day. The best kind of naps are the ones that can give you the boost you need to finish out the day strong. Experts say that the best naps last only ten or fifteen minutes and even suggest drinking caffeine right before a short nap, so you can wake up refreshed and ready to power through the rest of your busy day.
You can do it nearly anywhere
Of course, in the middle of the night before a big test or big life event, you can never get comfortable, but when you're tired enough, you can find yourself sleeping anywhere, lying down or even propped up in a chair. Some of us have even found ourselves hunched over in a school desk for a cat nap. Most do recommend, however, to find a dark and quiet place, void of distractions, so that you can truly get the most out of your Z's.
Everything in moderation
We know that the best things in life are only good because they are rare and fleeting, so too, should be your naps. Don't nap on a regular basis if you want to have a somewhat normal and cyclical sleep schedule. Instead, you should focus time and energy into finding ways you can get your full 9-11 hours a night of peaceful rest.
Don't trust yourself if you know you're a heavy sleeper
One of the most worrisome parts about napping, at least for me, is waking up. Experts say that, instead of a nap, some individuals should try meditation for the same short amount of time, finding themselves a quiet and peaceful place, maybe within nature, to stop all thoughts and worries. While of course you're not unconscious like you are when you're dozing, you can get pretty close.
Make a nap a special occasion
If you're like me and naps are a.) extremely valuable and b.) rare, find ways to make the most of your nap. Whether it's turning the AC down extremely low, drinking hot milk or tea before or even just your favorite sweat pants, naps are one of the only things that benefit you and you alone. Happy napping.
