Which is Best: Power Nap or Caffeine Shot?
Sleep researchers have determined that a 20 minute “power nap” is more helpful than a dose of caffeine.
They are referring to that mid-afternoon “dip in the body clock” – the time when work productivity drops to nothing. The researchers tested participants alertness throughout the day, and found that the 20 minute power nap at 2pm did the trick.
What about the caffeine?
The caffeine didn’t perform so well, only showing improvements within two hours of drinking it, but it was better than doing nothing at all.
They also tested a 90 minute sleep-in each morning and found it showed no benefits.
So, hands up how many of you crawl under your desk at 2pm and have a nap? I’m sure your boss just loves you doing that. Seriously – a power nap would be great but what kind of boss, teacher, or other authority-type person would be happy with staff or students catching some zee’s in the middle of the day?
What would be really special is combining the power nap AND the caffeine. Take a 20 minute siesta then down a double-shot. You could then do the work of three people.
I hope all you bosses out there are listening.
Source: Read more about the sleep study here.
8 Comments
Hey,
It works for the entire country of Spain, why not the US?
i think i’ll sleep for 20 in school now. and down a couple upshots too….
Too bad I can’t force myself to instantly fall asleep, especially at work.
Only problem is that a power nap doesn’t fit well on the DEATH BY CAFFIENE tool!!!
I believe it though. But for everyone not wanting to take a powernap.
I remember reading about the particular efficacy of having coffee immediately /BEFORE/ a power nap. The idea is that the nap takes effect while the caffeine still has yet to fully enter your system — so you wake up fully juiced, and don’t consciously notice the ramp-up effect.
Reference: http://science-writing.org/id81.html
Note: they used 200mg of caffeine for the study
I’ve heard of this and tried it. But I am always caffed up so I don’t think it’s going to work for me. To others, have fun.
Caffeine may give you a ‘lift’ because the body reacts as though you are stressed – not natural. Power nap is best but the problem is the ‘authority-type’ person around.(lol)
Ack…
I’m about to here with the whole sleep/caffeine debate. I figure do what works for you.
That’s all…