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We Slept Through National Nap Day, But Here’s Some Sleep Tips

By Don Chase
We may have napped away National Nap Day, but here's some good sleep tips.

Monday was National Nap Day. We were too busy sleeping to post something then.

But, you may be wondering, where did National Napping Day come from?

It was created in 1999 by Boston University professor William Anthony and his wife Camille to spread the word on the importance and the benefits of getting enough sleep. The holiday was meant to help make up for the amount of sleep people lost when the hour changes for Daylight Savings Time.

That got us thinking about sleep, and naps and well, we found some more stuff out.

  • How long should the perfect nap be?

  • How Long to Wait Between Eating and Bed

    Verywell Health says you should probably wait about 3 hours after dinner time. Small snacks are OK, but definitely avoid caffeine, spicy or acidic foods.

    Check out the info here.

  • When Should I Stop Drinking Caffeine Before Bed?

    But what about Coffee? Well, GoodRX has some thoughts on when you should cut that off.

  • Here's more tips from WebMD: Tip 1 - Stop the caffeine

    “Caffeine is a stimulant and should be stopped four to six hours before bedtime.”

  • Stop the Smoking

    “Nicotine is also a stimulant and should be avoided near bedtime and if you wake up during the night.”

  • No More Night Drinking

    “Alcohol is a depressant; although it may make it easier to fall asleep, it causes you to wake up during the night.”

  • Like We Said, No Eating Big

    “A light snack may be sleep inducing, but a heavy meal too close to bedtime interferes with sleep.”

  • Exercise Might Be a Bad Idea

    “You may not want to exercise vigorously just before bed.”

  • Make a Restful Environment

    “Minimize noise, light, and excessive cold or hot temperature…”

  • No Drinking... ANYTHING

    “Try not to drink anything after 8 p.m.”

  • Use Your Bed Only for Sleep Time

    “Restrict the amount of time you spend in bed to the actual amount of time you sleep.”

  • Set a Routine

    “Go to bed only when you are sleepy. This avoids that time you often spend trying to sleep but failing to do so. Get out of bed if you can’t fall asleep or go back to sleep within 10-15 minutes; return to bed only when you feel sleepy. Repeat this step as often as necessary during the night. You can read, listen to soft music, or watch a movie. Don’t fall asleep on the couch.”

  • Keep the Bedroom Sacred

    “Use the bedroom for sleep and sex only; do not watch TV, listen to the radio, eat, or read in bed.”

  • Set Your Mental Clock

    “Get up at the same time each morning.”

  • Get Bed Ready

    “Allow yourself one hour to unwind before bed.”

  • And if that doesn't work...

    If you’re struggling to stay awake at work, sleepwell.org has some tips to help you out.

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