By Geraldine Ling

You do not want to be caught sleeping on the job. On the other hand, you have yet to convince your boss of the benefits of power naps.

There is evidence that a quick nap in the day is beneficial to one's health.

Day snoozes, also dubbed power naps and which last for about 10 to 20 minutes each, help to maintain alertness and concentration, said adjunct assistant professor Sridhar Venkateswaran, a consultant in respiratory medicine at Changi General Hospital.

Dr Chng Seo Yi, a paediatrician at SBCC Asthma Lung Sleep and Allergy Centre, who agrees, said daytime naps can have an invigorating effect and improve one's emotional state.

However, there can be too little or too much of a good thing. Dr Sridhar said the benefits of power naps depend on their length.