Need a power nap? Have a cup of coffee first, experts say – you’ll feel refreshed and be less groggy when you wake up

Remote work and flexible schedules are creating new possibilities for napping, rest and down time to help the pandemic-weary recharge and reset

Nootropics maker Napjitsu has developed a capsule combining caffeine and memory-enhancing ingredients to help you rest for 30 minutes, then wake up energised

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Taking a nap right after drinking coffee sounds counter-intuitive but makes sense, experts say. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:15pm, 26 Jun 2022

Over the past decade, many studies have highlighted the power and benefits of napping. They have shown its impact on memory, performance and balancing the body’s internal systems.

Health professionals have been touting the benefits of napping for years, and in Europe and parts of Asia, napping has been embraced for decades.

United States space agency Nasa promotes it as a crucial component of healthy work habits. And recently, nurses in the UK demanded a “fatigue risk management” system, which includes a provision for taking power naps at work.

As the pandemic leaves burnout in its wake, new ways to get that extra bit of shut-eye have great appeal. For many, the answer is a caffeine nap – drinking a cup of coffee (containing roughly 110mg or 0.11ml of caffeine) then lying down to rest for 20 to 30 minutes.

It’s that reset button, it’s that taking a step away

Laura Brooks, CEO and founder of US nootropics maker Napjitsu

Although this sounds counter-intuitive, it adds up.

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