[softwaredoug]

I recommend too if you're over 40, or in any way have disrupted sleep, to nap 20-30 mins after lunch. Its a great life hack if you WFH and helps cope with so many sleep issues with aging IMO. It seems to help me and a large number of my colleagues > 40 years :)

[martindbp]

I can add that I believed for a long time that napping was pointless because I can't fall asleep during the day (and takes 1 hr + at night), but I recently discovered that if I lie down still for 30-60 minutes after lunch, I get into this restorative meditative state. I can feel my arms getting heavier and I might twitch a bit, and I can feel like there's some kind of pressure in my head, but I'm still fully conscious. Despite not falling asleep, this short "nap" can feel like I effectively had 2-3 hours more sleep. Feels like it's flushing out all the bad stuff it didn't have enough time to do at night.

[vehemenz]

Does the 20-30 minutes include the 20-30 minutes it takes to fall asleep during the middle of the day?

Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I don't think most people can fall asleep on demand during the middle of the day. Personally, I fall asleep within 5 minutes at night though.

[Dma54rhs]

While I can't do it I've lived in siesta countries and people actually do fall asleep in minutes. Don't know how but it must be learnable.

[yurishimo]

I definitely think it's learnable. I think for many people it's a mindset. After a particularly heavy lunch, sometimes I'll get the urge to go lie down. In those cases, I can be asleep within minutes after putting my head on the pillow/couch.

The key for me is to be mindful that I'm trying to relax.

At night, I can often find myself laying awake for hours. The quickest way to fall asleep in those instances is to turn on something I find relaxing and close my eyes. Note: what I find relaxing isn't stereotypical all of the time. Recently, I've been listening to people scream at each other about online politics. Other times it's smooth jazz. Do what works for you that day.

Routines and habits are also very powerful. If you want to take a nap after lunch, try and lie down every day after lunch. After a few days of repeatedly taking a lunch nap, your body will naturally start to fall into that habit and it will get easier to fall asleep. I'm guessing habit is largely what drives the siesta culture in many places.

[MadcapJake]

It is definitely more challenging. I only feel like I can easily do it in the day if I am already sleep deprived.

[gassiss]

The secret is to take the pressure out. It's about just relaxing your entire body as much as you can with your eyes close, like you do when you actually go to sleep. Even if you don't sleep, it's still beneficial.

[Moru]

The time to fall asleep is counted in. It can be enough just to lay down and close eyes 20 minutes in a dark quiet room to feel a benefit. Even if you don't actually fall asleep.

[rhinoceraptor]

I take a nap most days, I almost never completely fall asleep though. If I do actually fall asleep, it's often counterproductive since I'll wake up groggy.

[Moru]

My hard working farmer grandfather (1920-ish) always said to sit in a chair with your hand holding a spoon hanging by your side. When spoon hits the floor nap is over.

[civilized]

I've never been able to nap and it doesn't seem to be changing as I approach 40. If I'm desperately exhausted or stressed from sleep deprivation, I can sometimes lie down and rest and then get up feeling sort of refreshed. That's usually the closest I get.

[Auracle]

It’s amazing how much better you feel even from just lying down for a while. I wonder how much is from the physical act and how much is from the mental. If it’s the former one of those crazy computer setups where you can recline significantly could help.

For what it’s worth, the opposite also works for me. I have a standing desk and walking treadmill and I find walking helps keep me alert.

[civilized]

Pretty much my exact experience except I don't have the walking treadmill yet. Wish I could recover more from lying down but it helps. Going outside for a walk is more often my go-to.

[QuercusMax]

For me one key to be able to rest / nap is to make sure I have my phone on silent and away from me, then set a 20 or 30 minute timer to ensure I don't rest too long. Knowing that anything that you need to respond to will only have to wait 20 or 30 minutes helps me detach and relax. Lying down for 20 minutes, 15 of which is sleep, is extremely restorative, and I can do it several times during the day if I'm really struggling.

[jonny_eh]

I'm 39 and have found naps transformative!

[gassiss]

I'm far from my 40s and I also benefit greatly from this hack. My afternoons are much more productive when I do so