Napping improves mood

While a full night's sleep is vital to good health, stamina and alertness, a short nap also can do wonders for your mood and performance. The US National Sleep Foundation and HealthDay offers these suggestions for good napping.

Take action:
Limit the nap to 20-30 minutes – this shouldn't leave you feeling groggy, or interfere with your ability to fall asleep at night; make sure you have a good sleep environment – choose a cool, dark and quiet room to help you fall asleep and have a restful nap; choose the right time to nap – your body may not be ready for more sleep if it's early in the day, while napping too late can cause problems falling asleep at bedtime.