Some quick shut-eye can help you de-stress and be more productive.

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

That urge to snooze in the afternoon is calledsleep drive.

Woman napping on couch

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This is due to the buildup of a chemical in the brain known asadenosine.

Sleeping allows the brain to recycle the built-up adenosine so we can feel refreshed and alert.

How Long Should I Sleep?

Understanding the perfect length of a nap requires a bit of knowledge about the sleep cycle.

As you sleep, you pass through different stages of sleep, known collectively as a sleep cycle.

There is also rapid-eye-movement sleep, or REM sleep (during which mostdreamingtakes place).

And maybe this happens night after night.

If you are not getting enough quality or quantity of sleep, you are probably paying for it.

The question is: How long should you nap for the most benefit?

Ultimately, NASA recommends a 10-20-minute nap to avoid falling into deep sleep.

Not getting the right balance of sleep can lead to insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Every individual is different and there are pros and cons to each length of sleep.

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