Duration 4:58

How long should your naps be - Sara C. Mednick

2 400 676 watched
1.7 K
111.7 K
Published 29 Apr 2021

Download a free audiobook version of "Take a Nap: Change Your Life" by Sara Mednick or Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep" and support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission: https://www.audible.com/ted-ed -- Your eyes get heavy and gradually close… But wait! It’s only lunch time and you still have so much to do. Would taking a nap help? Or would it derail your day? Well, that depends on a few things— especially what stages of sleep the nap includes. Sara C. Mednick details the cognitive benefits of napping, and explores the optimal length and time of day for a quick snooze. Lesson by Sara C. Mednick, directed by Qian Shi. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreon Check out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletter Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebook Find us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitter Peep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-long-should-your-naps-be-sara-c-mednick Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-long-should-your-naps-be-sara-c-mednick#digdeeper Check out our full book recommendations: https://shop.ed.ted.com/collections/ted-ed-book-recommendations/products/copy-of-1985 and https://shop.ed.ted.com/products/why-we-sleep?_pos=1&_sid=c7f99e690&_ss=r Animator's website: https://www.qianshi.co.uk/ ---------------------------------------------- Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Anoop Varghese, David Yastremski, Zoë Tulip, B, Jason Harrison, Erica Guerrero, Richard Manklow, Roberto Chena, Oliver Koo, Luke Pisano, Andrea Gordon, Aleksandar Donev, Nicole Klau Ibarra, Milo Vermeulen, Ryan Weiler, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Itay Levi, Zongpu Kou, Cameron Chakraverty, Petr Vacek, Rhys Patterson, Dennis, Olivia Fu, Katrina Adams, Regina Post, Mary Collins, Kari Teffeau, clumsybunnie, Adam Leos, Jeremy Laurin, Cindy Lai, Liz, Bhargav Pandravada, Rajath Durgada Manjunath, Dan Nguyen, sarim haq, Chin Beng Tan, Alejandro Gomez, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Isorn Sookwanish, Iryna Panasiuk, Diane Gallin, Aaron Torres, Vasundhar, Eric Braun, Denka Wee, Daru Bhargav an Sonja Worzewski.

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Comments - 3320
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    @TEDEd3 years ago Weve got not one, but two books to help you get the most out of your rest! If youre interested in learning more about the art of the nap, che id="hidden1" class="buttons">ck out Take A Nap: Change Your Life by the author of this lesson. Or tap in to the transformational power of a good nights sleep with Matthew Walkers Why We Sleep. You can download free audiobook versions of these books here .. ...Expand 2969
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    @emitokhoza25603 years ago The worst part about taking naps is u expect to wake up afterwards feeling well-rested but instead u feel like u died and u forget who u are. 32134
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    @PeachiiWubs3 years ago The best naps are when they just happen with no plan. You sit down it' s oddly comfy then you' re just out for a hour but it feels like you slept six, then you have a super productive day. 18974
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    @SteveSwags3 years ago Nap length isn' t determined by me. I leave that decision up to the nap gods when i play " nap. 5505
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    @Irisfound3 years ago I miss coming home from high school, opening my bedroom windows for a breeze, turning on my favourite comfort dvd, and then snoozing. I' d open my eyes, . ...Expand 7490
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    @gargidas18803 years ago All jokes aside- the animation, the voice and the entire process of falling asleep is so beautiful and soothing. 6928
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    @abdullahryaz10 months ago - a sleep cycle lasts 90 mins, has 4 stages
    - a nap can last b/w 5 mins to 3 hrs
    - 5 to 30 min nap: easy to wake up from as it stops short - 30 to 60 min nap: memory transfer from short term to long term storage, deliver cognitive benefits of deep sleep but most difficult to wake up from
    - 90 min nap: easier to wake up from than stage 3 as brain is quite active during rem sleep
    - conclusion: take naps in 30/90 min increments: 30, or 90, or 3 hours (two 90 minute cycles)
    - morning naps dominated by rem, and evening naps by deep sleep
    - naps are not for everyone
    .
    ...Expand
    288
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    @thatnike26043 years ago " a nap can last from 5 minutes up to 3 hours"
    my naps are beyond your understanding.
    3371
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    @kiro34223 years ago Best nap i ever had;
    i came back from the beach after a long day of swimming, i ate macaroni and fried chicken then took a shower and turned on . ...Expand 4562
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    @huntermorgan61773 years ago There' s actually a stage 0, where the body is both too tired to move and hyperaware of every noise within a 3 mile radius. 2671
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    @Rebecca-dv8kl3 years ago The thing about rem sleep being most prominent in the mornings makes a ton of sense, whenever im sleeping in on a weekend and i wake up but then go b id="hidden6"ack to sleep, i get really weird dreams that i can wake up from at any time but im not necessarily controlling them, i just kinda know im dreaming. ...Expand 1752
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    @jessicareginadossantos34793 years ago Best naps of my life were during chemistry classes. My teacher would literally see me take 5 to 10 minutes naps during his classes but he said nothing . ...Expand 1195
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    @lilasle3 years ago In my country, theres always 2 hours lunch break. So everyone could take a nap for 1. 5 hour and have lunch. Thats beneficial for afternoon working time. 719
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    @nyeakochi3 years ago The perfect nap is when you dont know if its the next day. 48108
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    @nyanSynxPHOENIX3 years ago When i was in elementary school i would be tired during the day because of an abusive household, and high school i had a lot of sleep deprivation because . ...Expand 435
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    @mal93693 years ago The equal split between nappers and nonnappers is really interesting. I wonder if the split developed as a response to maintain awareness as a group throughout . ...Expand 367
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    @serotonin.scavenger3 years ago The perfect nap is when you
    close your eyes and sleep
    then wake up to:
    " hey you.
    you' re finally awake. "
    ...Expand
    259
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    @hasanaboulhasan3 years ago In my experience, the best time to take a 45 min nap is just before midday. While making sure you sleep at 10 pm and wake up at 5 am. 1969
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    @sahlahanifa84023 years ago I vividly remember the best nap i' ve ever had. It was after an exam, i had like 2 hours of sleep the night before and i was doing the questions while . ...Expand 36
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    @kowigatzzz70623 years ago The worst nap is when you wake up feeling refreshed but reality hits and you have 45 missing assignments, 8 modules, and 2 essays due today. 5240
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    @Bullets6323 years ago I was in basic training for the army a few years back, and i remember sitting on the floor listening to the drill sergeant' s lecture. I was really . ...Expand 210
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    @skyequakes3 years ago Even watching this video makes me wanna sleep, so relaxing. 59
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    @VenetiaTrentalance3 years ago The best nap is when you get up in the morning and then a few hours later you feel sleepy even while it is still morning and you crawl back into your still . ...Expand 43
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    @jstarASMR31033 years ago Ive been taking 30 minute naps for the past few years and i can safely say that it is the perfect amount of time and i wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the rest of my day every time! 79
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    @roysreceptive3 years ago One thing has been certain throughout childhood and adulthood - the most comfortable sleep positions are often found in the minutes before your really need to get out of bed. 41
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    @randomguyc48183 years ago I don' t need sleep i just take my healthy dose of cokain in the evening. 10165
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    @everythingonyt52943 years ago Honestly for me, a 8 hour night sleep and a 9 hour nap with 3 hours of power naps in between works best. 38
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    @zoesakurablossom53272 years ago The cat cuddle at the end was so cute! This style of animation was perfect for the topic! 11
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    @jennakeith57113 years ago Naps
    expectation: wakes up feeling refreshed and alert
    reality: wakes up grumpy/groggy and nauseated.
    30
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    @simoneshymone62093 years ago " a nap can lasts anywhere from 5 minutes to 3 hours"
    -me: laughing on my 6th hour nap.
    26
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    @mohammadamin81813 years ago The best nap that youll ever have is any time between 12: 30pm - 4pm afternoon. Wish you all having a good nap. 60
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    @BlueAcidball3 years ago To those who take an afternoon nap, i wish you a happy 3 am. 5335
  • @
    @raffybunal3 years ago The art and color palettes in this video are sooo beautiful and soft on the eyes. Thank you for this intentionality.
  • @
    @aishsheerag36853 years ago I guess the best part of this video is that they actually quoted nico' s ' with great power comes great need to sleep'
    like those who understood.
    13
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    @Zippy153 years ago I have a chronic condition that changes the way my body processes autonomic functions, including sleep. I' d love to see a video comparing typical sleep . ...Expand 9
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    @rainbowkitten89903 years ago I don' t normally have to take a nap, maybe once a week but when i do it' s beautiful. I normally sleep for a hour, and when i wake up i feel so . ...Expand 2
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    @marcschillinger4922 years ago I thought a long time i was a no nap type of person, but in these days where i have to study a lot it came out its actually helpful to get out of all the stress. 4
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    @Adrianna1193 years ago Me: im gonna take a 20 min power nap. *Wakes up 7 hours later*. Me: who am i? 10197
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    @ladyturquoise88943 years ago Can we talk about the animation tho. The transitions, shapes and textures and the way complex things were so perfectly. 2
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    @dayana67563 years ago This is so relaxing to watch. I mean the visuals are calming. 2
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    @gracebrownlee12113 years ago I love that my favorite author from my favorite series is being quoted. This made my day. 1
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    @Adam-kx2tp3 years ago " 20 - 30 minutes is the easiest to wake up from. " that one. That is the one! 71
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    @gray27903 years ago The quote at the beginning is my favorite from that series.
  • @
    @herropreaseherro78703 years ago Me: *tries to take a 30 minute nap.
    wakes up two hours later confused and scared.
    5172
  • @
    @cupcake75343 years ago This video and its narration is so calming, also the animation-it makes me feel drowsy enough to take a nap haha. 19
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    @mr.shinypikachu43513 years ago Hey, content aside (though it was helpful and informative) the visuals and especially the music and sound effects were really great. Just watching this . ...Expand 6
  • @
    @breeny75452 years ago The music and the animations are so soothing and satisfying. 1
  • @
    @eyakchaou62503 years ago Your videos are absolutely magnificent, the length the quality everything thank you.
  • @
    @tishapanchal4263 years ago I found this chennal spontaneously and now i am watching all of their videos on loop, love the content.
  • @
    @BusinessCasual3 years ago Ted-ed deserves 100 million subscribers. 4136
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    @kissgergo52023 years ago So a nap should be between 5 and 90 minutes long, sometime between the morning and the evening and it will definitely work for you if you' re the right person for it. 31
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    @readhead122 years ago For me naps are entirely different. I go straight to stage 4 and i' m in a half wake half dream state. So i know that i' m napping but i' m also . ...Expand 61
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    @peacego6243 years ago The best nap of my life experience:
    it was my first year at the university. It was heavy winter outside with snow everywhere.
    there i was . ...Expand 1
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    @huongthanhbui043 years ago The voice is so great. I can listen easily and comfortablely.
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    @sxoxxuxx25913 years ago The best nap is the 7 minutes of sleep you get when you sleep in class but suddenly your name gets called so you have to wake up. I literally dont feel tired after and literally get a burst of energy. 7422
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    @Prashanth-im1kk11 months ago What a beautiful soothing video! The animation and narration are so well crafted. Please keep churning out more videos: d.
  • @
    @TaraMolohon-lb1zn5 months ago Thank you for all the info and i really appreciate every bit of each faze. Y' all are awesome and i hope we can all just get along through everything. You guys are all wonderful.
  • @
    @lxlac61553 years ago The quote in the beginning would make your day if u' ve read percy jackson, n yes it made mine. 7
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    @eddienash21523 years ago The best naps are when you wake up all the way to check the time and can go all the way back to sleep with no questions. The 2nd best is when you fall . ...Expand 7
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    @Hopesfallout3 years ago I swear these audio-visuals coupled with the calm female voice talking about sleep are the most relaxing thing i' ve encountered in a while. 4871
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    @KarthikS307123 years ago - stages of sleep
    - will a nap make you feel better?
    - stages of a nap by length of nap
    - Time of day for a nap
    - will a nap help?
    ..
    ...Expand
    32
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    @jmlitwiller3 years ago I work third shift, am part owner of a business, and have two little kids. Sufficed to say i love (and absolutely need) naps. I heard someone say that . ...Expand 2
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    @ek2134last year This delicious narration and background music made wanna take a nap. 1
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    @lyric9393 years ago " more rem naps in the morning" that explains why i have the most bizarre dreams after i hit snooze and fall back asleep in the morning. 1803
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    @scribblemonster3702 years ago My favorite naps were during geography period which was always after lunch (around 11. 30) and our teacher would always wind up like 5-10 minutes before . ...Expand 4
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    @angellarson91462 years ago I feel this video so much. I took a nap last night at 5 p. M. Cause i got really tired and i ended up sleeping for 2 hours and having multiple, vivid dreams. . ...Expand 2
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    @leasophie53273 years ago I absolutely love the animations of this.
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    @carlosace12303 years ago Yknow when you wake up and have those lines all over your arms and face? Yeah that means its been a good sleep. 3693
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    @theemilbarna3 years ago One of the best summaries of sleep i' ve ever seen!
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    @locustphysalis33003 years ago Ohh beautifully made and i love how i intuitively already knew these time marks, i usually take 25 minutes naps at point 30 minutes i am still tired and want to sleep more.
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    @Dan_Ben_Michael3 years ago I had the perfect nap today that really hit the sweet spot. It wasnt too short where you wake up cranky or too long where it will ruin my night sleep. I love taking naps, i have a nanna nap everyday. 1
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    @ieattoast2 years ago Bro this video was so relaxing i literally fell asleep while learning about sleep.
  • @
    @electrikal_shok5883 years ago I like how ted-ed uses a poetic and calm voice, but goes full fancy and big brain on the words. 1372
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    @misssushicat77132 years ago The animation is absolutely beautiful < 3.
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    @sanjayasura50393 years ago Her voice is charming and makes me want to take a nap.
    nice info from ted-ed.
  • @
    @Frosxz3 years ago Tes-ed: how long should your nap be
    me watching at 3am: interesting.
    2795
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    @butter58423 years ago During my first year at uni i came late to a late night lecture. The lecture hall was full except the front row. I sat down for 5 minutes and fell asleep . ...Expand 3
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    @user-ir6mk6me7t3 years ago I remember when i took a nap when i was a kid, i usually take naps in the afternoon but this time i woke up and the sky had a different color, it looked . ...Expand 4
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    @felixjunior4833 years ago All this talking about neutrons is relaxing and so calm with sara' s voice even tho i don' t get anything.
  • @
    @sweetteddy3903 years ago The narrator has such a soothing voice. Listening to this video was so soothing, it felt like waking from deep sleep: d.
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    @captainlarrynosleepfishing53503 years ago Naps are a must when we fish 20-30 minutes is all we need! We have timers in the wheel house to keep us from napping too long. 2
  • @
    @neonbunnies95963 years ago Ted-ed talks about the importance and effects of sleep
    me, watching in the middle of the night: interesting.
    1121
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    @janman11103333 years ago " a short nap after work will do"
    wakes up in shining moonlight, the house lays there in silence, while his doubtful mind creeps up on " i might as well. "
    snuggles back into the pillow
    .
    ...Expand
    25
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    @rajeshpatil20283 years ago I actually felt sleep for about 40-45 mins because of soothing voice and animation of this video.
  • @
    @andreajudithd68763 years ago I just woke up but watching this with the sounds and the end i wanna sleep again, just seems so appealing rn.
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    @nuke17393 years ago Perfect nap is when you close your eyes for 5 min and wake up after 3 hours. 1373
  • @
    @dominikzatko79913 years ago Velmi dobre video, adamkovi sa velmi pailo, bol z neho uneseny, doporucam pozriet si, zmenilo mi to zivot. S pozdravom dominik, pekny den prajem holbkovia. 4
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    @jayjuggrnaut3 years ago The best naps i ever had was when i was a pre-teen, during the winter sitting near the radiator in the back pew at church. Amen. 2