The Coffee Nap: Is it the Secret to Boosting Energy and Productivity?

What is a coffee nap? I had never heard of this sleep hack until recently. It’s a fascinating concept that combines the rejuvenating effects of both coffee and a quick power nap. It entails drinking a cup of coffee and then immediately, you guessed it, taking a short nap.

As entrepreneurs and career-driven individuals, we always seek ways to increase our productivity. And keeping our energy levels elevated is a must if we’re going to power through the never-ending to-do lists.

So the real question is, do coffee naps work? And will it work for you?

What is a Coffee Nap? And Does It Actually Work?

A coffee nap typically involves taking a quick snooze, around 15 to 30 minutes, immediately after having a cup of coffee. Some people use other caffeinated beverages as well, like tea.

The caffeine is supposed to begin working around the 20-minute mark. So, just as you wake up, you start to feel more energized from the caffeine. In theory, it’s the perfect way to kickstart you into productivity.

The Advantages of Coffee Naps

Coffee naps have several advantages, making them a popular (and easy) choice. Some of those advantages include:

It can boost your alertness and cognitive performance.
It leaves you feeling more awake and mentally alert.
It can improve your overall mood while decreasing feelings of exhaustion.
It can enhance your creativity and problem-solving abilities.

The Disadvantages of Coffee Naps

While all of this sounds great at first glance. The reality is that these quick little power naps also have a number of drawbacks, including:

Coffee naps can disrupt your sleep schedule
It can make you feel groggy or sluggish if you nap too long.
If the nap exceeds 20-30 minutes, you might wake up even more tired – this happens when your body starts a sleep cycle, typically lasting 90 minutes.
Responses to caffeine and naps can differ from person to person. Some people may thrive with coffee naps, while others may not experience the benefits due to different metabolism and sleep patterns.

To Nap or Not to Nap?

There’s no downside to testing out this sleep hack. Of course, if your doctor has told you not to drink caffeine or you have any medical conditions that could be impacted by caffeine, you should certainly speak with your primary care physician first. But aside from that, it doesn’t hurt to give this technique a try.

Though, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to test out coffee naps. First, know your environment. If you’re working from home, it’s fairly easy. But if you’re working from the office, that’s more challenging (and might not even be doable).

Secondly, you need to consider your schedule. You probably don’t want to do this right before a big meeting. In the chances that coffee naps aren’t for you – taking them before a big event is probably going to be the worst possible combination.

Additional Recommendations

Experts have recommended limiting your coffee naps to no more than twice a week (ideally just once). And you want to avoid doing them later in the day or evening, as it can potentially mess with your ability to fall asleep later.

If you really need an evening nap, take an actual nap and not a coffee nap. Or just go to bed early and get up early. Getting a head start on the day before anyone else is awake is such a great feeling!

Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is the biggest thing that will help keep your energy levels up. Try to get eight hours most nights (if possible) and avoid hitting snooze on your alarm when it goes off. If your body enters another sleep cycle after you wake, you’ll feel tired and sluggish the rest of the day.

But, back to coffee naps! Do they work? For some, they absolutely do. For others, not as much. But you won’t know until you try.

So, grab a cup of joe and give it a try! Let us know your experience in the comments!