30 Days to Better Sleep: Don't Take Naps

What's the harm in taking a nap? If you have difficulty sleeping at night, you may do well to cut out napping during the day. How do you know if your nap is harming your ability to sleep? There are plenty of people who can get by taking a nap during the day with no ill effects on that night's sleep. Unfortunately, there are others who will struggle falling asleep as a result. The ability to sleep is dependent on two factors: homeostatic sleep drive and circadian rhythm. Sleep drive builds throughout the day: the longer you stay awake, the stronger the desire to sleep. It is similar to hunger and the desire to eat: the longer you go without eating, the hungrier you become. If sleep overnight is a feast, naps during the day are snacks. By eating a snack, you will be less hungry for the feast. By taking a nap, there is a weaker desire and ability to fall asleep and stay asleep overnight. Many people with insomnia will be unable to sleep during the day, including during naps. These individuals are "tired but wired," with complaints of fatigue, exhaustion, and diminished energy, but a notable inability to sleep during the day if given the opportunity. An insomniac will lie down to rest and spend the time awake. If sleep is obtained, even briefly, it can be very disruptive to sleep at night. There are others who will find it easy to fall asleep during the day, with little impact on the ability to sleep at night. If you are getting an inadequate total number of hours of sleep at ...
Source: About Sleep Disorders - Category: Sleep Medicine Source Type: news