How long should the perfect nap last?

“Nap o’clock” has been pinpointed at 1:42 p.m., according to new research.

The survey of 2,000 general population Americans revealed just before a quarter to two is respondents’ ideal time to take a snooze.

They believe the perfect nap should last 51 minutes, meaning they’ll wake up at 2:33 p.m.

Commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress (https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com) and conducted by Talker Research, the survey found if respondents’ naps go 35 minutes over that — lasting an hour and 26 minutes or longer — that’s the “danger zone” where it does more harm than good.

And if a nap lasts an hour and 44 minutes longer than the “perfect” length, then it’s no longer a nap: it’s officially a full sleep session.

Nick Bach, who holds a doctorate in psychology, weighed in with advice on how Americans can make the most of their naps. He said, “As a psychologist, I see firsthand how sleep — especially napping — affects mood, focus and overall well-being. So many people nap the wrong way and then wonder why they feel groggy instead of refreshed.”

One piece of advice: a 51-minute-long nap may be too long. Bach said, “I always tell people that if they nap too long, they risk entering deep sleep, which makes waking up harder. A quick 20-minute nap is perfect for a recharge without the dreaded sleep inertia.”

But in good news, Americans are taking naps at the recommended time — 1:42 p.m. falls into the timeframe that Bach suggests.

“I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is napping too late,” Bach said. “If you nap in the late afternoon or evening, it can mess with your nighttime sleep. Ideally, napping before 3 p.m. keeps your sleep schedule on track.”

Bach also said, “I always recommend napping in a quiet, dark and cool space. If total silence isn’t an option, using white noise or soft music can help. Napping on the couch can work, but a bed with good support is usually better.”

Respondents aren’t fully following this advice: the results found 44% like napping with some kind of noise — compared to 50% who sleep at night with noise. For these respondents, 47% like having the TV on for a nap, compared to just 7% who use a white noise machine.

When it comes to where they’re napping, 53% did say they prefer snoozing in their bed — but 38% would rather nap on their couch.

Regardless of how they nap, respondents do find benefits from taking a midday snooze: 55% immediately feel a boost of productivity after waking up from a nap.

The research also compared those who self-identified as “nappers” to those who didn’t, looking at personality differences between the two groups.

Nappers were more likely to say they have a “thriving” social life (48%) compared to non-nappers (34%). They were also more likely to say the same about their love lives — 50% vs. 39%.

While nappers and non-nappers were equally likely to be happy (74% vs. 73%), nappers were slightly more likely to consider themselves successful (39% vs. 32%). Nappers were also slightly more concerned about making sustainable decisions (74% vs. 68%).

Regardless of whether or not they identified as nappers, the survey found all respondents may not be receiving enough sleep: Americans surveyed only feel well-rested for half of an average week.

NAPPING TIPS FROM NICK BACH, Psy.D.

What to do?

1. Keep It Short (20-30 Minutes Max)
2. Nap Earlier in the Day
3. Create a Comfortable, Distraction-Free Environment
4. Try a “Coffee Nap”
5. Listen to Your Body

What not to do?

1. Don’t Nap Too Long (More than 90 minutes can throw off your sleep cycle.)
2. Don’t Nap Too Late (This can lead to nighttime insomnia.)
3. Don’t Nap in a Noisy or Bright Room (Your brain won’t fully relax.)