If you’re feeling utterly exhausted, taking a nap is always a good idea. Right? Well, don’t close your eyes so fast. If you have certain conditions, then getting shut-eye in the middle of the day isn’t the way to go. According to sleep experts even a power nap of ten minutes can reduce crucial nighttime zzzz’s.
Say No To Naps If….
You Suffer From Sleep Apnea If you're continually fighting the urge to sleep during the day and falling asleep instantly at night, you might have obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which you stop breathing while you sleep. If this is your condition, naps aren’t the answer. By wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that flows oxygen through your nose, you'll likely sleep more soundly and wake refreshed.
Your Body Clock Is Resetting Most people have a naturally developed "body clock" that allows them to sleep regularly at certain periods and to be mindfully awake at others. Folks who work swing or graveyard shifts, or are suffering from jet lag, must retrain themselves and literally recalibrate their 'body clocks' to live with an adjusted natural cycle of waking and sleeping. Napping will interfere with this recalibration.
