If you are using naps to offset the effects of sleep deprivation, a new study has some bad news. Researchers at Michigan State University were interested in "cognitive impairment associated with sleep deprivation" and looked at the effect of short naps on cognitive impairment after sleep deprivation or zero sleep.

The study has now been published in the journal Sleep and found that naps do not restore sleepless nights. In the study, 275 college students were subjected to cognitive testing. They then had the choice of either going home and sleeping normally or spending the night in MSU's Sleep and Learning Lab.

Those who stayed behind were divided into two groups: those who were allowed to nap for 30-60 minutes and those who were not allowed to sleep. The next morning, all participants were asked to retake a cognitive test that measured attention and place-holding skills.

In a statement published in Science Daily, study author Dr. Kimberly Fenn, director of the Sleep and Learning Lab at Michigan State University, said: "In this study, we wanted to know if taking short naps during periods of sleep deprivation would reduce these impairments.

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Good news for napping fans. The more slow-wave sleep (SWS) during naps, the less cognitive impairment on tests. Says Fenn, "While we found no measurable effect of short naps on mitigating the effects of sleep deprivation, we did find that the amount of slow wave sleep obtained during naps was associated with less impairment related to sleep deprivation."

Slow wave sleep is the deepest and most restorative stage of sleep, when muscles are at rest and the body is most relaxed. Fenn explains, "SWS is the most important stage of sleep." SWS is the most important stage of sleep," Fenn explains, "when the muscles are at rest and the body is at its most relaxed.

That desire to sleep is also called the "sleep urge," and this hunger to snooze is what makes us fall asleep so easily. Says Fenn, "Every night when we fall asleep, we immediately enter the SWS and spend a significant amount of time in this stage."

The bottom line? Good quality sleep is a priority, and naps, even if they include slow-wave sleep, are not a substitute for a full night's sleep. So does this mean naps are pointless and should not be taken? The health benefits of naps are proven, but when and for how long naps are taken is important.

According to guidance published by the CDC, there is strong evidence that the brain benefits from naps. Naps speed recovery from fatigue, and a good nap can help you feel refreshed and alert.

But how long should a nap last? The CDC recommends 20 minutes as the ideal length for a short nap to avoid feeling groggy (sleep inertia) or 90 minutes to complete a full sleep cycle.

To get the most out of your naps, keep the following in mind:

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