Savvy Psychologist How to nap without ruining your sleep: Finding the sweet spot
Dec 17, 2025
Napping isn’t just for kids; it’s a brain booster! Discover how short naps enhance memory, emotional regulation, and even athletic performance. Learn why a well-timed nap can make night-shift workers perform better, too. Dive into the J-shaped relationship between nap duration and health, and get practical tips for napping effectively. From creating a cozy nap environment to scheduling it right, find out how to unlock the power of rest without ruining your nighttime sleep!
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Famous Creators Used Naps
- Dmitry Mendeleev reportedly woke from a one-hour nap with the periodic table formed in his mind.
- Winston Churchill and Salvador Dali also used naps creatively, showing naps have historical creative roles.
Naps Upgrade Brain Performance
- Naps actively upgrade brain function across memory, vigilance, procedural skills, and processing speed.
- A large meta-analysis shows naps reliably boost declarative and procedural memory plus alertness and reaction speed.
Medical Residents Benefit From Naps
- A study of medical residents showed those who napped during night shifts performed nearly as well as day-shift doctors.
- Residents who didn't nap were slower, made more errors, and felt significantly groggier.