Is it better to take a nap at a certain time of day than to just take one whenever I feel like it?

[raccoon]

Or does it matter?

[KarenS]

1. I think it's an individual kind of thing,,,,

I nap after lunch (which is our big meal of the day). It is not a luxury it is absolutely part of my sleep pattern.

Some times I do smaller naps in the morning.

[Joe Cool]

2. The ideal length and time of day

is 20 minutes and between 2 and 5pm according to research.

[Random Boomer]

4. Twenty minutes? Why bother?

My naps are epic. They tend to run between 2-3 hours. If I'm tired enough to nap, I REALLY need my sleep.

[mopinko]

3. I've heard the earlier the better.

if i have a particulary bad night, I take a 'coffee nap'. sometimes after only 1 cup. usually after 2 and a yogurt or something. usually at least an hour, hour 1/2.
noon/1 is my sweet spot. if I make it past 2, i try to just tough it out, tho i usually nod off w my face in a screen.
any later than that, and I wake up at beer o'clock, and nothing's getting done.