Have you ever been criticized for an afternoon nap?

Naysayers contend that napping is for the young, the old or the lazy—and that if we merely sleep well at night, we wouldn’t need to do it.

Science, however, says that napping can be incredible for us!

Study after study has shown the benefits of an afternoon nap—including a boost to performance, better mental function and improved psychological well-being.

In other words, a nap will help us get more stuff done later in the day, while feeling better doing it.

Unfortunately, we can’t just close our eyes and hope for the best, as not all naps are created equal. The length, time of day and location will determine how effective it is.

Most importantly, we want to avoid that unpleasant groggy feeling when we first wake up.

Wellness website, Art of Wellbeing, created this infographic with practical tips on having the the perfect nap:

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Relephant:

Ayurvedic Sleep Remedies for Your Dosha (Body Type).

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Author: Brendan Brown

Editor: Yoli Ramazzina

Photos: Flickr/Ding Yuin Shan; Art of Wellbeing