“More than 85 percent of mammalian species are polyphasic sleepers, meaning that they sleep for short periods throughout the day.” ~ National Sleep Foundation For the most part, our average day is divided into two periods: wake and sleep. As the quoted statistic shows, 85 percent of all mammals – humans belong to this group – take a nap every day. In other words, we’re the odd ones out.

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends taking 20-30 minute naps for a boost in alertness and performance. Any period of sleep lasting between 30 to 60 minutes may cause sleep inertia or a groggy feeling post-wakeup. In any case, a nap lasting between 20 to 60 minutes is mostly beneficial.

THE BENEFITS OF NAPPING

1. YOU’RE HAPPIER

Science suggests that people who take a mid-day nap of 30 minutes or less enjoy an afternoon “happy boost” more often than those who sleep longer than 30 minutes, or who don’t nap at all.

2. YOU CAN BEAT THE SLUMP

Our circadian cycle feels a “slump” around 3 p.m. – an evolutionary hiccup. However, according to Harvard University, napping is an efficient way to bust this slump. (Yes, it’s even better than caffeine!)

3. YOU MAKE FEWER MISTAKES

According to the NSF, napping improves work performance, reduces mistakes, and avoids accidents.

4. YOU’LL PERFORM BETTER

In a study conducted by NASA, pilots and astronauts who took a 40-minute nap experienced a sizable improvement in their performance and alertness: 34 percent and 100 percent, respectively.

5. YOU GET A MEMORY BOOST

College students, pay attention. Researchers at Saarland University in Germany found that taking a nap for 45-60 minutes improved their memory 500 percent. Get to your rack!

6. YOU’RE MORE CREATIVE

Napping is not a mindless activity. In fact, research shows that the right side of the brain – where creativity and “whole picture thinking” takes place – is actively communicating with itself. (Napping has led to numerous creative insights throughout history. See: Henry Ford, Thomas Edison.)

7. YOU’RE MORE HEART HEALTHY

Per a joint research study done by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School (Greece), people who nap for 30 minutes or more, at least three times per week, had a 37 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease.