Ever been so tired that you could practically feel your eyes struggling to stay open? Well, I guess no one knows the feeling better than a student. Only one thing carries us through this fatigue. Our eternal saviours; naps.

However, the worst feeling is when you wake up from a nap feeling groggy. And unfortunately, we’ve all been there. Rather than it being a nap that helps us power through the rest of the day, it ends up ruining it. 

So, here are a few ways to make every nap, the perfect slumber.

Figure out your perfect nap duration

Start experimenting with nap durations.

The suggested duration for the perfect nap is between 20 to 30 minutes. However, you may need only 15 minutes whereas someone else may need 40 to feel perfectly rested. Initially, test out different nap times and see which one makes you feel the best, then stick to it. 

Make your environment nap-friendly

The best naps are in places that are quiet and where you feel comfortable, cozy and relaxed. So, if you can, create a nap-friendly environment for yourself. Switch off your internet, set an alarm and keep the digital distractions away. If music helps you sleep better, figure out what playlist works for you. 

Try to clear your mind

Whenever thoughts and feelings distract you or eat into your nap time, try to train your mind to keep these thoughts at bay. Remind yourself that you still have the rest of the day and that a nap will likely help you recharge so you can accomplish all the things you’re currently thinking about. Try to relax and not overthink because waking up with a mind full of worries can leave you in a groggy mood. 

Avoid snoozes

Try not to hit the snooze button after a nap.

Going back to sleep after hitting snooze can be a dangerous game and you chance slipping into a deep sleep, which could ruin your daily routine.

Walk off the nap

The best way to get your body back to work mode is to immediately jump out of bed and walk off the remaining sleepiness. You’ll immediately feel lighter and less groggy. 

Stay away from evening naps

Naps that stretch late into the evening can interfere with your sleep routine, which is something we want to avoid.

The perfect time for a nap is generally eight hours after waking up and eight hours before sleeping. So, if you sleep at 11 p.m. and wake up at 7 a.m., then the perfect nap time for you would be 3 p.m.

Now that you know how to ensure you get that perfect nap, the question is where do you find the nap-friendly environment we talked about? Don’t worry, we at IGNITE got you covered!

We’re reopening our in-college sleeping services, the IGNITE Sleep Lounge! And to celebrate the grand opening, we’re throwing a launch party at both our Humber Lakeshore and Humber North campuses where we will be providing free massages, a tour of the lounge, live music, snacks and giveaways! Plus, the first 100 students will also receive a free satin sleep mask!

If you’re on our Lakeshore campus, swing by the Student Centre (L building) on Wednesday, Feb. 15 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to get better acquainted with our Sleep Lounge. And if you attend classes at the North campus, come by the Student Centre (Tech Zone) on Thursday, Feb. 16 also between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

We look forward to helping you have the perfect nap.

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