Sleep medicine doctor: Naps superior to coffee in boosting energy

Lifestyle
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Studies show napping can be more effective and contain fewer potential downsides than drinking caffeine products. | Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

Dr. Valerie Cacho, director of sleep medicine at Straub Medical Center, is revealing important information to patients about the effectiveness of napping during the day. 

Her study comes as coffee consumption in the United States has reached a peak, with 85% of the adult U.S. population drinking at least one caffeinated beverage each day. 

Although amounts of caffeine that are 400 milligrams or less are not harmful to the body, according to studies, Cacho, a graduate of the Loma Linda School of Medicine, argues that there are more effective ways to get energy levels to a desirable place. 

"For those who may be worried about these potential side effects, there is an alternative – napping," she writes.

Although more than three-quarters of U.S. adults drink coffee on a daily basis, only 34% take a nap during an average day. This under-utilized method of promoting wellness, Cacho said, can help individuals have more energy, be more productive and stay alert for the remainder of the day. 

In addition to avoiding the harmful effects of caffeine when someone consumes over 400mg a day, Cacho says those who make napping part of their daily routine can improve mood, enhance performance and restore alertness.