

Bite Size #152: Dr Sarah McKay - The Benefits of Strategic Napping
7 snips Dec 15, 2024
Dr. Sarah McKay, a neuroscientist and expert in cognitive function, shares her enthusiasm for strategic napping as a powerful tool for boosting productivity and emotional regulation. She reveals how a quick 30-minute nap can enhance mental clarity and performance. Dr. McKay discusses the science behind sleep stages and dispels myths surrounding napping, emphasizing its benefits for cognitive function and memory. Additionally, she offers practical tips on effective napping to avoid grogginess and maximize its advantages.
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Dr. McKay's Napping History
- Dr. Sarah McKay has always loved sleep and napping.
- In school and university, she had difficulty staying awake in the afternoon but began napping strategically in dark rooms.
Strategic Napping Tips
- Keep naps short and strategic, under 30 minutes, to avoid sleep inertia.
- Longer naps can disrupt nighttime sleep.
The Science of Napping
- A strategic nap involves cycling through the first few sleep stages.
- This process clears adenosine, a molecule related to sleep drive, from receptors, leading to increased alertness.