A Nap a Day Makes You Smarter

UC Berkeley study shows an afternoon nap :

Increases your brain capacity to intake new information by 40%
Restores the hippocampus, a region of the brain that helps store fact-based memories
Clears the brain’s short-term memory storage and makes room for new information

Adin’s Comments:

I can remember back in my college years when I would take a late afternoon nap so I could have enough energy to study more, or go out and party. This strategy worked well throughout my entire college experience, as I always felt refreshed and productive from napping. After graduating college and entering the “real world”, life moved at a tremendous pace and I had unconsciously removed naps from my life. Ten years later, I came to a painful realization my napping habit had been completely cut out.

What made me come to this realization?

I stumbled upon a recent study done by UC Berkeley proving that napping makes you more productive, and refreshed. In fact, it makes you smarter! After reading the study, I was somewhat disappointed with myself for ignoring my napping needs for 10 years. I realized that my logical mind took over and figured that it could be more productive by saving those 30-60 minutes per day and converting it into productivity. Turns out I was not only wrong, it was counter productive and reduced my brain power.

Even though I have a new personal training business growing at a rapid rate, I have made a decision to include this smart habit back into my daily routine. In fact, I have decided to schedule my appointments during the day in such a way to allow for it.

I would also wonder how meditation would compare if it were under the microscope of UC Berkley, what would they find? I’ll be sending them an email asking if they could do one comparing benefits of meditation to napping in terms of its effects on cognition . Currently, I meditate from as low as 15 and as high as 45 minutes per day and and receive similar benefits as I would from taking a nap. I have to admit though, there’s nothing quite like a great power nap. Very occasionally, as a treat I’ll order a gluten free pizza mid-afternoon , draw the shades, slide underneath the covers, let the carbs kick in and forget about it.

Hopefully, you’ll also attempt to include a nap in your life.

Sources:

UC Berkeley | February 22, 2010