Do you like to take a nap when you can?

Taking a nap can be good for you
Grabbing a little shuteye in the middle of the day could help make you a better worker. But timing is everything.

Do you like to take a nap when you can?


>> Yes, it makes me feel refreshed
>> No, it makes me groggy
>> I'd like to, but then I can't sleep at night
>> Other

While your boss may not appreciate the snoring in the office, the truth is that well-timed sleep actually boosts your effectiveness as a worker. "A brief mid-day nap can reduce levels of fatigue, improve reaction time, promote learning, and improve coordination," says Michael A. Grandner, Ph.D., instructor and a member of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania.

There is, however, a right and wrong way to grab some quick shuteye. Try to sleep as close to the middle of the day as possible, preferably 8 hours after you wake up, says Grandner, or else it will be more difficult to go to bed at night. Ideally your snooze should be 20 to 30 minutes--it's best for regulating brain functions and keeping you from feeling like you've been hit by a truck when waking up from deeper sleep. (Having trouble nodding off? Stock up on these 5 foods that lead to better sleep.)

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