How to sleep better: Why you should be taking naps - it is 'like hitting the refresh button on your brain'
Taking a nap is a great way to give yourself an energy boost
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During the day, you may feel drowsy and tired at times when your body goes through the mid-day blues and you need that extra bit of momentum to propel you through the day.
The lack of energy typically hits between 1pm and 3pm, which is why countries like Spain have a "siesta", with one in five in the country having a mid-afternoon nap.
Managing director at The Odd Company, Andrew Seed spoke to GB News on whether napping is a good thing for us.
He said: "A quick nap can work wonders for your emotional well-being. When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, taking a moment to rest allows your brain to reset, leaving you feeling calmer and more in control."
Having naps in a short timeframe is the most effective way of napping
GETTYThe expert added: "Even just lying down and closing your eyes can help you feel more grounded and present, especially if your mind has been racing all day."
Taking naps for too long though could lead you to feel worse than when you took a nap. Andrew advised not over-napping and to only nap for short periods.
He said: "Short naps are like hitting the refresh button on your brain. Just 10 to 20 minutes can boost your alertness and sharpen your focus, making you more productive for the rest of the day. It’s especially helpful if you’re feeling that mid-afternoon slump.
"If you nap for more than 30 minutes, you might wake up feeling worse than when you started. That’s because you’ll likely enter a deeper stage of sleep, which can make you feel groggy or disoriented. Stick to shorter naps for the best results."
Naps can be a welcome break for your body, not just giving your mind a mental reset but a quick recharge of your batteries too.
The expert said: "Napping isn’t just good for your mind, it’s good for your body. Short rest periods can lower your stress hormones, reduce inflammation, and even support heart health over time. It’s like giving your body a quick tune-up in the middle of the day.
"Napping is a chance to listen to your body. So often, we ignore the signs of fatigue and push through, but when you take time to rest, you’re honouring what your body is asking for.
"Think of naps as a way to recharge, not a reliance. Fantastic for improving your day-to-day energy and focus, but the foundation of quality sleep is ensuring you get at least seven hours of consistent, restorative rest each night. When used wisely, naps are a powerful ally for better overall health and productivity."
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Napping can stop us from yawning so often
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Sometimes it is difficult to achieve the full seven to nine hours worth of sleep our body needs.
Making sure we have enough iron in our system and avoiding blue lights are two ways to get a better night's sleep.
Drifting off to sleep can prove to be a tricky task as well. We may get to bed at an early time but struggle to drift off.
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