Coffee Nap

Updated March 11, 2024

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Table of Contents

How Coffee Naps Work
Are Coffee Naps Effective?
How to Take a Coffee Nap
Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Naps

Key Takeaways

A coffee nap involves drinking coffee and immediately taking a short nap to increase the following effects on alertness.
A nap lasting around 15-20 minutes should give the caffeine necessary time to kick in.
Coffee naps can be particularly beneficial to night shift workers and drivers.
Napping can enhance performance and mood, but cannot replace a quality night of sleep.

A coffee nap is just what it sounds like, coffee combined with a nap. It might seem counterintuitive to combine caffeine with sleep. But caffeine followed by a brief nap has been shown to improve alertness and mental acuity in several studies.

For coffee naps to work, both timing and sequence are important. Coffee naps are most beneficial when taken after lunch Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , sometime during the mid-afternoon. Drinking coffee first, then napping for no more than 20 minutes, is key. Some research has shown that coffee naps may be better for helping people stay awake Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source than just drinking coffee or a nap alone.

We explore how coffee naps work, whether they are effective, and other questions that can help you decide if trying coffee naps is right for you.

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How Coffee Naps Work

After one cup of coffee, or about 100 to 200 milligrams of caffeine, many people feel energized with increased alertness. Coffee naps work by combining the waking effects of caffeine with the restorative aspects of napping Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Caffeine works by blocking a neurotransmitter called adenosine. Adenosine is a naturally occurring chemical in the body that promotes feelings of sleepiness Trusted Source NIH News in Health The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. View Source . Throughout the day, adenosine levels build, signaling the body that it is time to sleep. During sleep, adenosine is cleared from the brain Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source .

Clearing of certain substances from the brain may enable deeper NREM sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Studies show that good quality sleep Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source can positively affect decision making, problem solving, attention, and creativity.

Caffeine blocks the function of adenosine and stimulates the brain. Like two athletes jockeying for position, adenosine and caffeine compete for the same receptors in the brain. In order for caffeine to work, the brain first needs to clear receptors of adenosine. This is where a nap comes in to clear the brain of adenosine buildup, allowing caffeine to fit into open receptors.

Napping is a brief period of sleep usually taken sometime during the day. Daytime naps, often called “power naps,” lead to increased alertness and heightened mental sharpness. Researchers have found that the ideal length of a nap is around 20 minutes. Naps longer than 30 minutes can induce deeper sleep and may cause sleep inertia. Sleep inertia Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source is the feeling of disorientation, reduced alertness, and grogginess after waking.

Are Coffee Naps Effective?

Coffee naps have been shown to be effective in certain situations. For sleepy drivers and night shift workers, caffeine combined with a nap Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source can enhance cognitive and physical performance, problem solving, and mental acuity.

Several studies throughout the 1990s compared how well people performed after a caffeine nap versus taking caffeine or a nap alone. In one study, some participants were instructed to take 200 milligrams of caffeine and then take a nap before being kept awake for a period of 24 hours. Compared to participants who took only a nap, those who had a caffeine nap were better at maintaining alertness, logical reasoning, and performance tests.

Some researchers were particularly concerned with investigating whether caffeine and naps could improve alertness in drivers Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , as sleepiness is a significant factor in many car crashes. One study found that those who took 150 milligrams of caffeine or a short nap were less drowsy Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source compared to drivers who took a placebo. Drivers who took a break to have caffeine or a nap significantly reduced sleepiness, driving impairments, and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity that indicates drowsiness.

Night shift workers may also benefit from coffee naps during work hours Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . One study of night shift workers demonstrated that a combination of napping plus caffeine was the most effective method Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source for improving alertness and performance tests evaluating reaction time, sustained attention, verbal fluency, and other cognitive skills.

More recent studies have investigated whether caffeine and naps can improve the physical performance of athletes Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , particularly those who are sleep-deprived. Researchers compared the effects of either a 20 minute nap, a moderate amount of caffeine, or a dose of caffeine followed by a nap. Results showed that sleep-deprived athletes who combined caffeine with a nap performed better in sprinting tests than those who had either caffeine or a nap by itself.

How to Take a Coffee Nap

Taking a coffee nap is fairly easy if you can find time to do so in your schedule. Basically, it requires quickly consuming caffeine and then immediately napping for between 15 to 30 minutes, preferably about 20 minutes. Coffee naps should be taken in the afternoon Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , typically after lunch but not too close to bedtime.

Prepare your coffee and nap space. This can be as simple as finding a dark, quiet room with a comfortable chair, but you can even use your car. Anywhere you feel safe where you can block out the daylight and sleep without interruptions will do.
Get a coffee or double shot of espresso. The goal is to drink about 200 milligrams Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source of caffeine, which may be found in a 12-ounce cup of coffee or two shots of espresso. Energy drinks, teas, and colas typically do not have enough caffeine.
Drink your coffee fairly quickly. Think of downing your coffee rather than leisurely sipping. Your body needs to sleep before any effects of the caffeine kick in. Try iced coffee or espresso if it seems too challenging to drink a large cup of hot coffee quickly.
After that last drop, set your alarm for 20 minutes and immediately try to sleep. Do not be concerned if sleep does not come quickly. Even a non-sleep dozing state is effective.
Do not hit the snooze button when your alarm goes off! Sleeping longer than 20 minutes can produce feelings of grogginess and sluggishness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Naps

How Long Should a Coffee Nap Be?

In total, a coffee nap takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Plan for five minutes or so of prep time to pick your sleep spot, settle in, drink your coffee, and set your alarm. Try to limit napping to around 20 minutes.

Are Coffee Naps Better Than Regular Naps?

When comparing coffee naps with regular naps, some research indicates that coffee naps are better than naps alone. However, in certain situations a regular nap may suffice. Because caffeine produces stimulant effects lasting up to six hours, taking a coffee nap too close to bedtime can cause insomnia and other sleep disturbances.

Coffee can be expensive and is not always readily available. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and experience unpleasant side effects. Insomnia, restlessness, dizziness, fast heart rate, and anxiety are a few of the more common side effects of too much caffeine.

In some situations, caffeine should be limited or avoided completely. If you have any medical concerns, ask your doctor whether caffeine or caffeinated beverages are safe for you. A variety of conditions may be negatively affected by caffeine, such as pregnancy, chronic headaches, insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, and stomach ulcers.

What Is the Best Time of Day for a Coffee Nap?

The best time to take a coffee nap may depend on a person’s daily schedule. For people who work during the day, a coffee nap may be most helpful after lunch, around the middle of the afternoon. It is normal for people to feel an overwhelming urge to sleep after lunch. It gets harder to pay attention and perform routine tasks.

Coffee naps taken during morning hours are too early for most people as adenosine has not yet had a chance to build up. And drinking coffee and napping too close to bedtime can impact the ability to fall asleep. Instead, a siesta in the mid-afternoon hours may be the perfect time for a coffee nap.

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Written By

Christine Pydych, Staff Writer

Christine is a freelance medical writer who lives near Seattle at the foothills of the Cascade mountains. Christine has been teaching pilates and yoga classes for many years, and works at a medical school with students as they begin training in clinical care. She loves hiking, good coffee, and exploring the world through books and travel.

Medically Reviewed by

Dr. Abhinav Singh, Sleep Medicine Physician MD

Dr. Singh is the Medical Director of the Indiana Sleep Center. His research and clinical practice focuses on the entire myriad of sleep disorders.

Learn more about our Editorial Team

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