Everyone knows the struggle of the midday slump. You try to get back to work after lunch and suddenly it hits you. You’re sleepy, slow, and it feels like your brain is miles away. For a lot of people, their first response to the afternoon sleepies is to grab another cup of coffee or power through until bedtime. But I’m here to tell you that not only is napping totally acceptable for grownups, it can actually improve your health and overall alertness!

But how to achieve that ideal nap? That Goldilocks rest that’s not too long and not too short, leaving you feeling rested and not too groggy? Well, a Beautyrest mattress is a great place to start, but here are a few more tips on how to take the best nap of your life and tackle the rest of your day with ease!

Time It Right

Don’t just take your nap any old time of day. Too early and you won’t reap the benefits for long, too late and you won’t be able to get to bed at night! Plan your nap for about 3 p.m., when your tasty lunch really starts to hit and you’ve been awake almost as long as you were asleep the night before. Don’t sleep too long either – between 10 and 20 minutes is the sweet spot for naps. That might sound too short, but any longer and you’ll be groggy for hours afterwards.

Get Your Buzz On

It might sound counterintuitive, but try taking a few sips of coffee before dozing off. The caffeine should take about thirty minutes to really hit, and if you time your nap just right, you should wake up just as your body is receiving the caffeine boost. That leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the day once your alarm goes off.

Cut Out Light and Sound

Light and noise can completely ruin your sleep, so try to take your nap in a place where you’re unlikely to be disturbed. This might not always be practical, especially for people who work during the day, but if you have an office or even a car where you can lock the doors, break out an eye mask and some ear plugs, and catch a few Z’s on your lunch break, you’ll wake up feeling better than ever.

Prep Your Bed

If you work at home or just can’t get enough of afternoon naps, even on your days off, then you get to enjoy the luxury of a nap in your own bed. Lucky you! This also means you’ll want to prep your bed just right.

First things first, a Beautyrest mattress will give you a solid foundation for a successful nap. Beautyrest’s pocketed coil, hybrid, and memory foam designs are created with the goal of maximizing your comfort and conforming perfectly to your body’s unique needs. So if your current mattress just doesn’t let you get comfy enough, bring home a new Beautyrest to up your nap game.

Once you’ve picked out the perfect Beautyrest for you, cover it in cozy blankets and pillows scented with a calming essential oil like lavender or chamomile. You sleep better when you’re warm, and aromatherapy can help put you in a relaxed state of mind, especially if you have trouble falling asleep. Don’t try to get work done or watch tv in bed before dozing off – keep your bed a calming space associated only with sleep, so you can get to snoozing sooner.

And there you have it! With these tips, you’re well on your way to the most relaxing nap of your life, and you’ll be ready to wake up refreshed and take on the rest of your day. If your bed needs an upgrade before you can achieve your ideal sleep, come down to our store! We have a huge stock of Beautyrest mattresses of every size, shape, and softness level, and our associates are ready and willing to help you down the path toward that perfect nap!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert