A sleep expert has revealed that there is one thing you need to drink before you nap to feel better and more alert - and it will probably surprise you. Dr Cheri Mah, a sleep scientist and Professor at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Centre, specialises in the relationship between sleep and performance in elite athletes. Helping NBA stars to get maximum sleep, she says that the one thing she recommends having is a 'napaccino'.
Discussing this is on Steven Bartlett's podcast, Diary of a CEO, the host - also known for appearing as a Dragon on BBC's Dragon's Den - asked what people can do to sleep better. The doctor explains: "So this is a useful tool if you’re trying to have a temporary boost and alertness and performance. So the 'nappuccino', you go and take your favourite caffeinated beverage, the caffeine will start to kick in in about 15 minutes and you go and then take your 20 to 30 minute power nap.
" In order for this to work however, you need to be able to fall alseep within a certain time. If you don't, the caffeine may kick in and you'll be awake. She adds: "If you’re able to fall asleep within that five to 10 minutes while the caffeine will start to come on board then when you wake up after 20 to 30 minutes, then bam, both the caffeine will have kicked in and the power nap will have kicked in.
"There’s research to show that it's more effective for alertness and performance improvement for a couple of hours than if you only do the caffeine alone or only did the power nap alone. So the 'nappuccino' is a useful tool for some who utilise caffeine and you can partner that together with a short 20 to 30 minute nap." Confirming what we need to do, Steven queried: "So if I wanted to take a nap now, I have an espresso and then go and have my nap?" with the sleep guru responding: "Exactly.
The caveat is you need to fall asleep within about 10 minutes or else the caffeine will start to come on board." If you want to do this, there's a time you should try with the doctor suggesting: "If you do this in the late morning or early afternoon, it can be a helpful tool so that you have a boost in your alertness for a couple of hours." You can watch the full episode 'The Woman Who Helps NBA Stars To Sleep: Stop Having Showers Just Before Bed! Dr Cheri Mah' here .
.
