Top 10 List I'm Writing Instead of Sleeping Vol. 2 - Napping Tips

10. Find a suitable place - This may seem obvious, but too often have I had a good nap interrupted by... anything. A family member noisily rummaging around, a telephone ringing, a light going on. For a long nap, your bed is great, but for just a quick nap, look for a couch in a low-traffic area, and let people know you're napping so you have a peaceful slumber.

9. Nap at the right time - Believe it or not napping time matters more than simply not napping too close to bed. Based on an average adult sleep schedule (12am-6am) a nap is most effective around 1 or 2 in the afternoon to maximize productivity. If you're feeling dead and have things to do at night, aim for 4 or 5 pm.

8. Be comfortable - if you're in private, take those jeans off! A comfortable nap is a relaxing nap. And make sure to regulate temperature, I can't stress this enough. If you wake up cold, you wont want to wake up. If you wake up sweaty, well nobody likes that.

7. Try a 'caffeine nap' - Pound back a cup of coffee, can of coke, whatever you get your caffeine from, and immediately lie down for 20 minutes. If you doze off (I manage to in like 5 minutes for naps, lol) then once you wake up the caffeine will be kicking in, giving you a double energy boost for maximum productivity.

6. Know the benefits of napping - Don't feel guilty, the stigma that nappers are lazy is ridiculous. Naps have been proven to improve cognition, alertness, retention of information and overall productivity throughout the day.

5. Educate others on the benefits - Getting called lazy for napping, even though its boosting your productivity? Tell others about the benefits!

4. Don't nap too much! - If your body becomes accustomed to a bi-phasic sleep pattern (sleeping two times in a day) then on days that you don't have time to nap you'll feel awful, and really need one.

3. Try to avoid sleeping where you work - Your nap will be very restless if you can't separate it from work.

2. Know about nap timing - Different amounts of time will provide different benefits. The traditional 20 minute 'power nap' is great for a quick pick-me up in the afternoon. 45 minutes is great for a long term energy boost for the rest of the day. 90 minutes can help make up for a lack of sleep the previous night. Any longer and you risk waking up groggy, and remaining that way for a very long time.

1. Experiment - Nobody knows you like you. Try out different naps, find what helps you out the most, and do that! Try different places, times of day and lengths of nap until you find your personal perfect nap. For me its 45 minutes in just my underwear in my bed at 3:00pm.

Share your napping experiences!