Coffee or sleep: what to choose when you feel tired
Coffee or sleep: what to choose when you feel tired
Anonim

It seems that there is nothing left in the world but fatigue, and there is still a lot of work ahead. There are two options: a nap to take a break, or coffee to invigorate. What to choose in this case?

Coffee or sleep: what to choose when you feel tired
Coffee or sleep: what to choose when you feel tired

When to choose a dream

Overall, sleep has more benefits than coffee. According to many studies, sleep promotes the memorization of information, makes a person more alert and improves cognitive abilities. In addition, sleep does not give a short-term effect, unlike coffee, which only masks fatigue, making a person more cheerful for a short time.

There are also disadvantages. First of all, time. An afternoon nap can take from 20 minutes to an hour and a half. In addition, he can disrupt biorhythms, and then a sleepless night awaits and reproaches himself for not choosing coffee.

Scientists agree that a 20-minute nap is the best option. It is also worth sleeping between 13:00 and 15:00. At this time, the brain is most tired, and the risk of biorhythm disturbance is minimal.

When to choose coffee

First of all, when you do not have the opportunity to sleep. It doesn't take that long to prepare and consume coffee, and you don't have to look for a bed to lie down. In other words, coffee is an easier choice.

Caffeine, like sleep, has its own benefits. In the study we cited above, respondents felt slightly better after drinking coffee than after sleeping. Coffee is also preferred if you want to stay focused. Especially if you are over 40 years old.

A French study compared the effects of coffee and sleep by asking subjects to drive a car. For a group of young people, sleep had a better effect. However, for a group in their 40s and 50s, coffee was more invigorating.

What is coffee nap

But ideal is both. In English there is a phrase coffee nap. You drink coffee, go to bed for a while, and when you wake up, the caffeine kicks in.

Research by Mitsuo Hayashi found that coffee nap has a more invigorating effect than washing with cold water and bright light. Another study published in the journal Ergonomics found coffee nap to be more effective than normal sleep.

You have three tools at your disposal to combat fatigue. And each of them is good in its own way. If you have time and opportunity, go to bed. If you need a short and easy way - drink coffee. And the greatest effect will be the combination of coffee and sleep - coffee nap.

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