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Health Education & Promotion
Wellness: Napping & Sleeping Resources

Napping Tips

A short nap can magically turn your Z's into A'sDid you know that taking a 20-30 minute nap could improve your academic performance? Follow the tips below and you will be on your way to success!

  • Limit your nap to 20-30 minutes. This will boost your alertness, productivity and concentration.
  • Set an alarm to wake you up in 20-30 minutes.
  • Nap in the late morning or early afternoon. If you nap late in the day you may disrupt your nighttime sleep.
  • Minimize sleep distractions with a dark and quiet place to nap. Use an eyeshade and earplugs.

Recommended Resources

Below are some web resources related to napping and sleeping:

  • The Power of Napping (WebMD)
    Not convinced that you can make a nap work for you? This article goes into the different aspects of a nap that are vital for you to get the most out of your nap. It really is simple to take a nap, just because NASA pilots do it, doesn’t mean you can’t!
  • 15 Proven Tips for the Perfect Nap (ManageYourLife.com)
    Ready to give the power nap a try, but not sure how to make it work? This article provides great tips on how to take the most efficient power nap. You will learn easy to follow guidelines that can help you get more out of that 20-30 minutes than you ever dreamed of!
  • National Sleep Foundation (National Sleep Foundation)
    Want the “A to Zzz’s” on sleep? Check out the National Sleep Foundation website for the answers to any sleep question you can dream of! Check out the long list of topics and their relation to sleep from ADHD to Traveling.
  • The Science of Sleep (British Broadcasting Corporation - BBC)
    Looking for a general understanding of what sleep is? Check out this link to the BBC’s Science page. It tells you about sleep cycles, why we sleep and what would happen if we did not sleep. You can even compare the average hours of sleep per day of an elephant to a tiger!
  • Understanding Sleep (National Institutes of Health - NIH)
    Want to know more about the “dynamic activity of sleep?” This link takes you deeper into circadian rhythms and sleep disorders and diseases. You can even get some tips on how to get a better night’s sleep!
  • Tips for Getting Better Sleep (Helpguide.org)
    Ready to start improving the quality of your sleep? Get great, in-depth tips on little changes to your lifestyle that will improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.
  • Relaxation Techniques (Sleep Disorders Center, University of Maryland)
    Feeling stressed about sleep? Try a few of the relaxation techniques provided by this article. They will leave you feeling calm and ease you into restful night sleep.

Join our Napping Facebook Group

"Want to be in the know with napping tips, sleep-related events occurring on campus, and other useful information? Join our napping group on Facebook!"

Campus Resources

For more information on campus resources and services related to sleep check out:

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