Since my lifestyle change, I haven't taken a napin about 6 months. I know this is a good thing, and certainly makes for a better night's sleep,. My question is are naps bad? If so, only at certain times? Any ideas?

I read a book on sleep science a few months ago, and at the end of it I was even more confused than before. Even more so than nutrition and exercise, it seems that there are many conflicting views and opinions. In the end, what works for your own body is probably best.

For myself, and I speak from having extremely bad sleep habits my entire life -- no napping is definately much better for me. Even if I'm tired at the natural circadian low of mid afternoon, a nap tends to make things worse. As a night owl, I have to control my sleep patterns closely, or I'll end up in a viscious cycle of staying up later and later, and getting up later and later.

Some people I know swear by a nap in the mid afternoon, so I think it really is an individual thing. But if not napping works for you, by all means stay with it...