grayscale photo of woman lying on bed beside dog
Discover the different types of naps and when you need them.

A nap is a short period of sleep, usually taken during the day. One-third1 of American adults nap. Many swear by napping as an effective way to relax and recharge, while others find naps unhelpful and disruptive to their sleep.

Not all naps are created equal, and many factors impact how helpful naps can be. By understanding the role of napping, you can learn to take effective naps that support your body’s internal clock and maintain your energy level throughout the day.

Types of Naps

Naps can be categorized2 depending on the function they serve. Thinking about what you’re hoping to gain from a nap is one part of making napping work for you.

  • Recovery Nap: Sleep deprivation can leave you feeling tired the following day. If you are up late or have interrupted sleep one night, you might take a recovery nap the next day to compensate for sleep loss.
  • Prophylactic Nap: This type of nap is taken in preparation for sleep loss. For example, night shift workers may schedule naps before and during their shifts in order to prevent sleepiness and to stay alert while working.
  • Appetitive Nap: Appetitive naps are taken for the enjoyment of napping. Napping can be relaxing and can improve your mood and energy level upon waking.
  • Fulfillment Nap: Children have a greater need for sleep than adults. Fulfillment naps are often scheduled into the days of infants and toddlers and can occur spontaneously in children of all ages.
  • Essential Nap: When you are sick, you have a greater need for sleep. This is because your immune system mounts a response to fight infection or promote healing, and that requires extra energy. Naps taken during illness are considered essential.

Read More

Get the Secrets to Better Sleep

Free 3-Minute, Practical Stories Delivery Daily for the Best Sleep Ever! Start Sleeping Better Today!

Leave a Reply

Related

man wearing red long-sleeved shirt standing beside wall

The Overwhelming Benefits of Power Napping

While small children typically take naps in the afternoon, our culture generally frowns upon mid-day sleep; however, even in those who get enough sleep (but particularly in those who don’t), many people experience a natural increase in drowsiness in the afternoon, about 8 hours after waking. And research shows that you can make yourself more […]

  • 1
  • 1.8K
  • 4
vegetable salad on white ceramic plate

What To Eat Throughout The Day To Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Though no particular food is a magic cure, there are certain food groups or properties that are beneficial to overall health.

  • 1
  • 1.7K
woman sleeping on brown armchair

Are Natural Sleep Aids Safe?

Around one-third of American adults1 sleep less than seven hours per night, and many of them use medications and sleep aids to try to get the sleep they need. In recent years, more people have turned their attention to natural sleep aids with an estimated 20% of adults2 having tried a natural sleep remedy in the last year. Sold […]

  • 0
  • 859

Share Great Content for Our Resource Section

About

Napping.com provides the latest news, information and expert articles related to sleep, sleep research, napping and better health and wellness. We welcome visitors to share useful resources for our Editorial Team.

Have a suggestion? Send us an email at: contact@napping.com

Navigation
Follow

Suggest Content

Napping.com