“No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.”
- Carrie Snow
What do Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison all have in common? They’ve all made considerable contributions to the advancement of mankind, they’re all distinguished in their respective fields, and they were all avid power nappers.
Napping can be a great way to catch up on sleep, increase productivity and become more creative. By obtaining merely 20 minutes of sleep in the afternoon your body and mind will recharge and provide the extra push required to have a successful, productive day.
Naptime is not just for kindergartners. A whole body of research shows that a midday snooze can boost productivity and alertness in the workplace.
But there is some controversy in the best way to take a nap. It may be that different people have different nap styles. I suggest trying some of the napping techniques below and see what works for you.
1. The Odd Couple
Turns out a cup of joe won’t ruin your nap, it will upgrade it. A recent Japanese study found that you can alleviate sleepiness by combining a short snooze with coffee.
Sound counterintuitive? Here’s how it works: caffeine takes about 20-30 minutes to kick in, just enough time for you to nap. That way, if you’ve had a coffee-primed nap, the benefits are twofold: you’ve rested and you’re ready to go when you wake.
The British Transportation Department even provides drivers with the following recommendation to combat driver fatigue: “Stop, drink two cups of coffee or a highly caffeinated drink, then take a short nap.” Think of a nap as a free extra shot in your latte.
Note: This guest post was written by personal development blogger Henrik Edberg. You can check out his website 
Stress in our personal and professional lives is ever changing and constantly on the rise. Everyday we’re expected to do more and more with less and less – less resources, less energy and less time. 
