Don’t fight it. A midday snooze is actually good for your brain.
Groggy, foggy-headed, dragging through the afternoon? Few things bog down the work day quite like the midday slump. Sometimes it can feel impossible to get anything done.
The fix might be simpler than you think. Grab your favorite pillow and find somewhere comfortable to doze off. You might need what scientists are calling a “synaptic reset.”
The power of a good nap
New research suggests a short snooze could do more for your brain than we ever imagined. A study published in the journal NeuroImage found that napping may boost the brain in ways once thought possible only after a full night’s sleep.
Researchers looked at the napping habits of 20 young adults, focusing on the tiny gaps between neurons called synapses. These spaces ensure nerve cells can effectively communicate with each other, making them critical for quality cognitive function.
While you’re awake, your brain’s synapses are constantly strengthening, reinforcing the connection between cells. This is great for learning and memory — but eventually, things reach a point of saturation.
Over time, it becomes more difficult for the brain to take in new information. A full night’s sleep usually resets things, keeping your neurons sharp. But now researchers say a quick nap might offer that same kind of brain boost.
“Our results suggest that even short periods of sleep enhance the brain’s capacity to encode new information,” senior researcher Dr. Christoph Nissen said in a news release.
Nissen and his fellow researchers’ test subjects took around 45 minute naps on average. To measure their synapses, the researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalogram tests. The results revealed subjects who napped had weaker synaptic connections in their brains than those who stayed awake. This improved the snoozers’ ability to learn new information for the rest of the day, as their brain’s synapses were no longer as saturated.
“The study shows that this ‘synaptic reset’ can happen with just an afternoon nap, clearing space for new memories to form,” Nissen said.
Head of University Medical Center Freiburg’s psychiatric sleep research and sleep medicine Dr. Kai Spiegelhalder — who was not involved in the study — told the University of Freiburg in a news release that this discovery could have significant implications for workers finding it difficult to focus during the infamous midday slump.
“The study helps us understand how important even short periods of sleep are for mental recovery,” Spiegelhalder said. “A short nap can help you think more clearly and continue working with concentration.”
About the Author
Hunter Boyce is a writer, digital producer and journalist home grown from a Burke County farm. Throughout his career, Hunter has gone on to write sports, entertainment, political and local breaking news for a variety of outlets.