You may have heard of the 'siesta' - a short nap taken in the early afternoon, around midday when the weather is warm.

This Mediterranean and Southern European tradition is something you might want to look into after reading about the benefits of napping according to this sleep expert!

Sex, Sleep, Eat, Drink, Dream: A Day In The Life Of Your Body author, Jennifer Aikerman says naps boost alertness, creativity, mood, and productivity in the later hours of the day.

But knowing how long to sleep is important to the quality of nap you get. Over 90 minutes and you'll experience sleep inertia: a feeling of grogginess and a desire to return to sleep, rather than feeling refreshed.

So what's the best nap time?

The optimal nap time for that refreshed, spring-in-your-step feeling is 45 minutes or less.

"Naps make you brainier, healthier, safer. But to understand how you can nap best, you need to understand your body," writes Ackerman.

Check out the chart below to get your best sleep yet!

Are you a napper? Let us know your optimal time in the comments below!

[Source: The Guardian]