Love taking naps? Research finds the best time to take some daily shut-eye; but there's a catch

Updated on: Feb 13, 2025, 11:15:24 IST

By Krishna Priya Pallavi

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Study finds what is the best time to take a nap. (Pexels)

A new research has found the perfect time to take a nap. The study revealed an oddly specific time when you should take some shut-eye to feel refreshed.

Do you love taking naps? If you love taking naps in the afternoon during a hectic workday to wake up feeling relaxed, you must have wondered what is the optimum time to take some shut-eye. Well, worry not. A new research has found the answer for you.

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What is the best time to take a nap?

In a new study conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress, the best time to take a nap is 1:42 pm. The research found that most people aim to get some shut-eye for 51 minutes. Meanwhile, a quick 20-minute nap is perfect for a recharge without the dreaded sleep inertia (a temporary disorientation and decline in performance and/or mood after awakening from sleep). But anything longer than that can leave you feeling worse.

People who regularly take naps might have better social lives. (Shutterstock)

The catch

According to the study, any nap that lasts longer than an hour and 26 minutes - about 35 minutes past the ‘perfect’ length - enters the danger zone. You end up feeling groggy and disoriented instead of refreshed. Meanwhile, if your nap lasts longer than this time frame - which is you're still sleeping after an extra hour and 44 minutes. That’s no longer a nap – you’ve drifted into a full sleep session.

More findings from the study:

According to the study, people who regularly take naps might have better social lives. It found that 48% of self-described nappers had a thriving social life, compared to 34% of non-nappers. Additionally, 50% of nappers reported satisfaction in their love lives compared to 39% of non-nappers.

As for success, 39% of nappers reported feeling successful as compared to 32% of non-nappers.

Benefits of nap time

55% of people in the study said they felt more productive right after waking up from a nap. However, those who were surveyed for the study only felt well-rested for about half of an average week, suggesting that many might be using naps to make up for poor nighttime sleep.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Krishna Pallavi Priya
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More

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