Post by Tracy Kaler.

You woke up far too early this morning, or you’ve been burning the candle at both ends and you’re completely exhausted. Your meeting got canceled so you have an hour mid-day to rest, but should you take a nap?

Most experts will confirm that napping is good for your health, but if you find yourself napping regularly and for the wrong reasons, then that’s another story. If you have a need to nap even though you get a good night’s sleep, or if you’re suffering from chronic insomnia and end up catching shut-eye over your lunch hour, then naps might not be the best solution. You could have another health issue that you’re not aware of, so a doctor’s visit might be in order.

Are you overworked or do you have too much on your plate?

Stress and anxiety can cause fatigue at any hour of the day, prompting an afternoon slump which will lead to naps. Lack of sleep can cause mid-day sleepiness as well, and encourage naps even if you’re not a routine napper. If this sounds like your scenario, then napping would only be a temporary fix. You’ll need to get to the root of your stress or insomnia, and then you probably won’t feel the need to nap any longer.

Did your parents nap?

Apparently, the gene pool plays a role in whether we take naps or not. Chances are, if your mom and dad were nappers, you could very well be a napper too. If you are one of those natural nappers, catching a short snooze during the day could be essential to your well-being. A nap could last anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes, but even the shortest sleep could recharge your battery and boost productivity.

What if you’re not a habitual napper?

That’s okay because everyone’s body is different and you might have enough energy to make it through the day without putting your head down for 30 minutes. Don’t sweat it if you can’t sleep mid-afternoon. You’re not alone, and falling asleep during the work day could have the opposite effect on you. You could wake up more tired and even groggy after a short rest. Stick to your sleep schedule and however many hours you’re getting each night, and leave the napping to others.