Napping (and in particular power napping) has become something of a fad in recent years, and for good reason! Not only can napping be highly refreshing, it also provides an opportunity to improve our sleep efficiency, meaning that if we nap effectively we won’t need to spend as much time asleep at night to feel fully refreshed.

Recent research has shown that having just one period of sleep during the night is not only ineffective but may even be unnatural, prompting a rethink of our daily sleep habits.

Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits of napping, detailing the different types of naps and the cultures where daily napping is already considered a part of everyday life.