Experts Say People Can Perk Up With A “Coffee Nap”

Ever heard of a coffee nap? On the surface, the idea doesn’t make much sense. Coffee is a stimulant that will perk anyone up and keep them awake; napping will restore one’s energy and leave the individual refreshed. But why combine the two things, when just one would suffice?

As it turns out, the “coffee nap” is a super effective way to get energized and become as productive as possible. Here’s how it works. A person drinks a cup of coffee, then take a quick 20 or a 30-minute nap. By the time he or she wakes up, the caffeine has kicked in and the person is ready to go.

Coffee naps can be particularly helpful in combating drowsy driving — a driver who is falling asleep at the wheel could pull over somewhere safe, grab a cup of coffee, then take a quick snooze in their car before getting back on the road. Coffee naps could also help night shift workers who are struggling to stay awake at work.

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“Researchers at Loughborough University in the UK found that when tired participants took a 15-minute coffee nap, they went on to commit fewer errors in a driving simulator than when they were given only coffee, or only took a nap (or were given a decaf placebo),” Vox reports. “This was true even if they had trouble falling asleep, and just laid in bed half-asleep during the 15 minutes.”

Another study found that “caffeine naps” were “the most effective for subjective sleepiness and performance level” compared to napping then being exposed to bright light, and napping then washing one’s face.

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Obviously, one may not always be in a place where one can take a nap — not every office building has nap pods like Google and Zappos do, and sometimes it won’t be safe for a driver to pull over and sleep. But next time an individual has the ability to do so, test out a coffee nap and see how it feels. It might just be a game-changer.

[Editor’s Note: The information provided should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a sleep doctor or other medical expert if there are questions about one’s own health.] 

Featured image: NAS CREATIVES/Shutterstock

Joe Auer

Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site. He likes things simple and takes a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications. When he isn't testing sleep products, he enjoys working out, reading both fiction and non-fiction, and playing classical piano. He enjoys traveling as well, and not just to test out hotel mattresses! Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.