As a parent, you get used to squeezing in quick naps whenever you get the chance, parenting is a 24/7 job and your little one may need you at odd times of both the day and night, which can lead parents to being sleep deprived and in dire need of a nap.
So, when you can only squeeze in the occasional power nap to rejuvenate yourself throughout the day it is important that you get the most out of these naps to keep you full of energy and ready for action. So, today we’ll be giving you some tips for how you can get the most out of your power naps and keep on top of everything!
Short Power Naps Are Best
If you’re trying to nap to restore some of your energy it is best to keep your naps short and sweet, allowing your body to recharge, without going through a whole sleep cycle. It may sound counter-intuitive, but a quick 20 minute power nap will give you more energy than a longer nap.
The jury is still out on the ‘ideal’ time for you to take when having a power nap in the day, but it’s commonly agreed that you should try keep naps less than half an hour, so many people often recommend a 20 minute power nap, giving yourself some time either side to fall asleep and wake up.
But Long Naps Should Be Long
If you want to nap for more than 20 minutes, it’s recommended that you try to sleep for a full sleep cycle. If you wake up midway through your sleep cycle, you’ll find it’s a jarring experience that leaves you feeling more tired than before you started your nap.
For most people, our body’s sleep cycle takes about 90 minutes, so if you need a long nap you should try nap in periods of 90 minutes, to allow your body to go through a full cycle and avoid that horrible feeling of having to drag yourself out of bed while your brain is still trying to sleep.
Invest In Blackout Blinds
As a parent, squeezing in naps where possible, you’ll find yourself trying to get some sleep at all hours of the day, even when it is bright outside. If it’s in the daytime you may struggle to properly fall asleep due to the brightness. There’s not many things worse than not being able to sleep when you have time for it.
So, by buying a set of blackout blinds or double roller blinds for your bedroom, you’ll have a darker room as the blinds block out light from outside, creating an environment more conducive to falling asleep. This all means, when you find yourself trying to have a nap at midday you’re more likely to fall asleep quicker and have better quality sleep.
