{"id":30075,"date":"2023-08-14T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-14T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/?p=30075"},"modified":"2023-12-14T18:10:26","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T18:10:26","slug":"coffee-nap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/coffee-nap\/","title":{"rendered":"The Science Behind Coffee Naps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I love coffee<\/a> and naps<\/a>\u2014so when I heard about \u201ccoffee naps,\u201d I had to investigate. You\u2019re familiar with power naps, but what\u2019s a coffee nap? Turns out, It\u2019s not a new trend\u2014and research on coffee naps dates back to the 1990s<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find yourself yawning<\/a> and sluggish after lunch? Go ahead and catch some quick Z’s to restore energy, boost your mood, and increase focus and concentration. But why add coffee?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can downing a shot of java immediately before napping really supercharge your naps? Are coffee naps just a fun trend? Read on to discover what the science has to say. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a coffee nap? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA coffee nap, otherwise known as a ‘caffeine nap,’ refers to drinking a cup of coffee and sleeping,\u201d explains Amanda Liptak<\/a>, RDN at Nutrient Rich Life. \u201cTiming and sequence <\/strong>matter <\/strong>since the premise is that drinking coffee right before a nap helps you wake up feeling more energized and rested.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do coffee naps work? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the day wears on you may hear people say, \u201cMy brain is shot.\u201d Well, there\u2019s something to that. As our energy is depleted, a sleep-inducing neurotransmitter called adenosine<\/a> builds up in the brain. Caffeine blocks those receptors and wards off tiredness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naps flush adenosine from the brain and coffee enhances this <\/strong>effect. Scientists have found<\/a> that combining coffee with a nap can restore energy levels because more caffeine reaches the brain as adenosine breaks down by sleeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn healthy people with normal adrenal function, coffee naps can be a good way to reboot the day,\u201d says Liptak. \u201cHowever, if you have a condition such as\u00a0hypothyroidism<\/a>\u00a0(low thyroid function) or adrenal fatigue, coffee naps may not be ideal because hormonal imbalances also impact the body\u2019s circadian rhythm<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the natural sleep cycle is off, the body can feel wired when it\u2019s supposed to feel tired and vice versa. Furthermore, coffee decreases appetite and puts your body in a sympathetic state. \u201cIn this case, I advise against a coffee nap and recommend hydration<\/a> and nutrients to balance blood sugar and ultimately manage stress,\u201d Liptak says.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to take a coffee nap <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what\u2019s the best way to take a coffee nap? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, there\u2019s a catch, cautions Liptak. \u201cIt takes approximately 20 minutes for caffeine to kick in,” she says. “If you lie down immediately, and rise in the 20-minute time frame, you\u2019ll reap all of the benefits of caffeine in your coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anything longer and you risk trouble waking up and fighting off grogginess triggered by sleep inertia<\/a> and not being fully awake. Other tips for enjoying coffee naps include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n