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Napping could be beneficial before or after a study session, but what is the optimal length?

As the school year begins to get busy with tests and assignments, you may find yourself struggling to stay awake during the day. The thought of taking a nap may become more and more tempting as the weeks go on.

This may be because you are draining yourself with schoolwork or just because napping is a better alternative to actually getting your work done. The main reason to take a nap may be different for everyone, but is that nap actually going to be beneficial and boost your productivity when you wake up?

Information gathered by CHP Canada has shown that there are benefits and downfalls to the different kinds of naps.

The power nap – This kind of nap typically lasts only about 10 to 20 minutes. If you’re looking for a quick boost of energy in the day, this is what you are going to want to go for. It allows your body to take a break and recharge without going into a deep sleep.

The 30-minute nap – This nap may seem like a good amount of time to rest, however, it’s long enough that your body reaches the power nap stage for an energy boost, but it is not long enough to fully reach the best restorative purposes of a nap. You may find that after this nap you feel groggy or almost hungover. This is clearly not the nap you are going to want to have before entering back into study mode.

The 60-minute nap – This nap is long enough to help reboot your brain, however, you are likely going to have the groggy feeling when you wake up from this one too. This nap is ideal for when you have just finished a huge study session and you want the information you just learned to really sink in. It is going to improve your memory, but it will not be a good nap if you are hoping to study again after it.

The 90-minute nap – This is ideal for feeling fully refreshed. During this nap you will reach a deep sleep, which lets your body fully rest before you wake up. If you are starting to feel overwhelmed and stressed about school work, this is going to be the ideal nap. It helps improve your emotional state and stress levels. When you wake up from this length of you will no longer feel like you are in a groggy state. You will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to get back to studying.

When you are deciding if you should nap or not, don’t only consider the amount of time, but also where and when you are going to have this nap.

The most ideal time for a nap is going to be in the middle of the day so as to not disrupt your nighttime sleep schedule. If you are looking to avoid a deep sleep, to avoid the groggy feeling, your best bet is to sleep in a somewhat upright position. This could be a couch, at your desk or even just on the bus.

Recent Fanshawe College graduate Katie Cornelius shared her wise words about napping, “When you are still in school, take every opportunity to nap and enjoy it,” she said. “Because once you start working, taking a mid-day nap is no longer an option.”