The Twenty-Minute Nap Rule Actually Works

A short nap can restore focus and mood in the middle of the day — but only if you keep it short. Sleep for more than thirty minutes and you risk entering deep sleep, waking up groggier and slower than before you closed your eyes.

Set an alarm for twenty minutes and get up the moment it rings. Early afternoon, before three, works best for most people. Treat it as a reset button, not a substitute for the sleep you missed at night.