Feeling guilty about wanting to nap? Neuroscientists have found that a short 6-minute nap can refreshthe brain both emotionally and cognitively. Good naps shouldn’t exceed 30 minutes, otherwise lethargy will take over. Studies by NASA also show that a 10-20 minute nap increases brain alertness by 50 percent, resulting in noticeably better work performance.
Currently, major American technology companies are providing dedicated napping spaces for employees, such as the startup EXA and ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s, which has had sleeping rooms at their headquarters for over 20 years. Media executive Arianna Huffington of Huffington Post and NVIDIA’s Kristen Perez also have napping areas in their private offices.
It’s worth noting that world-famous figures like Edison, Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and prominent politicians throughout history have all been avid nappers. Moreover, a UK Biobank study of over 35,000 participants aged 40-69 confirmed that regular nappers have larger brain sizes, meaning their brains deteriorate more slowly than others in their age group. Next time your brain feels tired, try taking a short nap, and your brain will want to stay with you for a long time.
