Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Myth of Napping

The results of a Michigan State University study on the benefits of napping in an attempt to compensate for sleep deprivation reported several clear findings. 

        1)     A lack of sufficient slow-wave sleep reduces cognitive ability

 2)     While naps can help slightly, the effect is so minor as not to be meaningful

 3)    Naps do not restore cognitive function if you are not getting 6-8 hours of uninterrupted, slow-wave sleep

If  you get 6-8 hours of slow-wave sleep at night  still feel better with a short 15-30 minute nap, that's one thing. Trying to compensate for sleep deprivation by napping, however, appears to be a dead-end street.

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