Daytime nap 'is as refreshing as a night's sleep'

Daily Telegraph - UK ^ | June 23, 2003 | David Derbyshire

[Mister Magoo]

Daytime nap 'is as refreshing as a night's sleep' By David Derbyshire

Filed: 23/06/2003

Power naps, the post lunch snoozes advocated by Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and George W Bush, can be as refreshing as a good night's sleep, according to a study.

Scientists have shown that a 60- to 90-minute siesta can charge up the brain's batteries as much as eight hours tucked up in bed. But in order to get the full benefit, dozers need to spend some of that time dreaming, the study found.

The findings come from psychologists at Harvard University, who tested the visual learning ability of volunteers.

The tests, which involved watching and then recalling the position of bars on a computer screen, were carried out at 9am and 7pm, and again at 9am the following day.

Test scores of volunteers not allowed to sleep during the day fell by the evening of the first day. But the reaction times of people who took a 60- to 90-minute sleep during the day improved in the evening, the researchers report in Nature Neuroscience.

Short naps only worked when they included two kinds of sleep - slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The two kinds of sleep are categorised by different brainwave patterns and are thought to help the brain rehearse and process new skills and information learnt during the day.

The scientists, led by Dr Sara Mednick, said: "From the perspective of behavioural improvement, a nap is as good as a night of sleep for learning on this perceptual task."

Power naps also added to the benefits of a good night's sleep. Volunteers who took a nap on the first day of the experiment were 50 per cent better at remembering the task 24 hours later than the non nappers. Last year a study found that men were more likely to take power naps than women.

[Skywalk]

Funnel cake, elephant ears--by any name, they are Paradise. I like doughnuts but I don't crave them really. I have a super super bad weakness for soda, even Pepsi Free with no caffeine. I just like carbonated sugar water I guess.

I also like spaghetti and the vietnamese noodle soup, pho, but it's not every day that I eat that. I'll look into how you do it, because I'm interested in feeling more awake and alive.

[Skywalk]

Give up refined sugar...NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, I don't need it too bad except in soda and the occasional bit of ice cream.

[Bellflower]

Is radiohead really your mom or are you just saying that? Got me wondering.

[Bellflower]

Just read post 32, cool, mom and son Freepers!

[ChemistCat]

You two are BAD. Stop that right now or I'm telling.

[orchid]

If you turn your head to the left, your head is on the RIGHT SIDE.

[StoneColdTaxHater]

I take a 30 minute nap nearly every day. Makes my day go by better and I feel refreshed afteward.

[Guenevere]

That's what I've beem trying to tell y'all...:>)

[stevio]

I've always liked taking naps too. With two small children it's a family affair. It also seems like you get two days for the price of one.

[WKB]

Thanks for the ping
After going to sleep driving one day in 1995, I thought maybe I should see a Doctor.
Sleep Apnea is real and it can be deadly.I found out all about sleeping and "not sleeping" . Unavoidable daytime "naps" may be a symptom. See a Dr.

[WKB]

Oh by the way, Good Morning!!!

[Lazamataz]

That's what I've beem trying to tell y'all...:>)

Yeah, but if a daytime nap is as refreshing as a full nights sleep..... you seem to be getting 5 nights a day! ;^)

[Lazamataz]

Fresh fruit early in the morning w/green tea or sometimes coffee, bacon cheese & vegetable omelet with salad on the side for a late breakfast/early lunch (my schedule is a bit weird). Afternoon plate of salami, cheese, nuts and veggies, and then usually chinese or mexican for dinner, skipping the rice. Plus all the wine or Guiness I feel like drinking.

I am starting Atkins after the company picnic this weekend. I love Guiness too, but I have cut way back on alcohol, so it is a very infrequent treat. I miss the taste a little, but I don't miss the effects.

[WKB]

I am starting Atkins after the company picnic this weekend.

This is the only diet I have any sucess with and it keeps my blood sugar under control without the pill.

[Guenevere]

#52....My one daily nap is short & refreshing.
..that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

[Lazamataz]

This is the only diet I have any sucess with and it keeps my blood sugar under control without the pill.

I tried Atkins once before with miserable results. I found out, later, what I was doing wrong. Namely:

1. During induction, no nuts are allowed.

2. During induction, no alcohol at all, not even one shot.

3. During induction, no caffiene whatsoever.

4. Strict adherance to the 2-3 cup a day salad greens or listed (acceptable) veggies. LOOSELY PACKED cups.

5. Bear in mind that working out will fool your ketosis urination strips (if you use those).

[varon]

Always get your good night's sleep on your belly, with your feet hanging over the end of the bed and your head turned to the left.

IMHO you need a longer bed ;-)

[WKB]

I tried Atkins once before with miserable results. I found out, later, what I was doing wrong. Namely:

1.During induction, no nuts are allowed.=NA

2.During induction, no alcohol at all, not even one shot.=NA

3.During induction, no caffiene whatsoever.=Problem

4.Strict adherance to the 2-3 cup a day salad greens or listed (acceptable) veggies. LOOSELY PACKED cups.=No Problem

5.Bear in mind that working out will fool your ketosis urination strips (if you use those).=NA

[Centurion2000]

bump .... now this should be forwarded to all HR departments

[Kenton]

Me too, if I nap for more than an hour and a half or so. For some reason, the short naps (hour or less) don't leave you feeling so zonked out.