Taking A Nap: Sleep Debt

When we constantly get less sleep (even 1 hour less) than we need each night, it is called sleep debt. We may pay for it in daytime drowsiness, trouble concentrating, moodiness, lower productivity and increased risk of falls and accidents.

Although a daytime nap cannot replace a good night’s sleep, it can help make up for some of the harm done as a result of sleep debt.

• But avoid taking a nap after 3 pm as late naps may stop us getting to sleep at night.
• And avoid napping for longer than 30 minutes as longer naps will make it harder to wake up and get back into the swing of things.