How to have a perfect "napuccino"

The big picture: Midday drowsiness hits hard for many — and a power nap could be especially helpful for shift workers who need to reboot fast.

• In some cultures, siestas are routine.

How it works: UCLA professor of medicine Jennifer Martin, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, shares her science-backed napuccino recipe with Axios.

• Wait 8 to 9 hours after waking up.
• Drink 200mg of caffeine (roughly one cup of coffee).
• Immediately nap for about 30 minutes.

Between the lines: Caffeine takes 30-45 minutes to hit peak levels. That's enough time to let your body rest, and then wake up just as the coffee kicks in.

Your natural body clock helps. A "dip in your circadian altering signal" helps you doze in the early afternoon, Martin says.

• Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, the neurotransmitter that makes us feel sleepy, and binding to adenosine receptors.

Reality check: A napuccino only works if you can fall asleep quickly — and if it's timed more than 4 hours before bedtime.

• "It wouldn't work for me at all," Martin says. "I'm not much of a napper."