How long should a nap be?

Mayo Clinic advises adults who nap to do so in mid afternoon for a period of 10 to 30 minutes. Naps that are too long or late in the day can disrupt night sleep schedules or cause insomnia.

Mayo Clinic recommends naps for individuals with daytime fatigue or those who anticipate losing night sleep. When managed correctly, they can help to improve mood, memory and alertness. Naps are most effective in places with minimal light, noise and distraction. Many individuals are slightly disoriented after napping, so allowing time to wake up slowly and ease back into regular activities is important.