Drinking coffee before a short nap can actually enhance your alertness and refresh you more effectively, according to sleep expert James Wilson. The caffeine from the coffee takes about 30 minutes to kick in, which coincides with the ideal 20-minute nap length. This timing allows you to wake up just as the caffeine starts to work, giving you the benefits of both the nap and the coffee. A 2010 study supports this idea, indicating that a coffee nap can improve cognitive functions more than coffee or a nap alone. However, it's not one-size-fits-all, and individual responses may vary. It's also important to avoid caffeine at least 6 hours before your intended sleep time at night. The practice can be particularly beneficial for those with sleep debt or irregular sleep schedules, like shift workers, enhancing productivity and combating the effects of sleep deprivation.
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