Have you ever wondered how long the ideal nap should be? The answer is 90 minutes. Here’s why: A 90-minute nap involves all 5 stages of sleep, including the final stage call REM (rapid eye movement) where intense dreaming occurs. Experiencing REM sleep during a nap has been found to help clear your mind; boost memory, creativity, and capacity to learn; and improve motor skills. Also, awakening after REM usually results in less grogginess. Taking shorter naps does not provide all of the same benefits.
The ideal nap
Dr. Daniel Thomas, DO, MS
Dr. Thomas is a dedicated and hard-working physician with a wealth of knowledge and experience. With a medical career spanning over 35 years, he has helped people worldwide by providing innovative solutions to improving and maintaining their health. His strength lies in his scientific curiosity, creative and analytical thinking, and practical application of important biomedical research. Despite the demands of a full-time medical practice, to stay at the forefront and continuously improve the care of his patients, Dr. Thomas devotes 20-30 hours a week to reviewing the latest scientific literature and talking with leading scientists to uncover potentially promising treatments.