Afternoon naps rest the brain and improve memory functions, new research has shown.
However, this study actually proves that it is beneficial to sleep, but not to sleep in a deep sleep.
A short nap of just ten minutes reduces fatigue, although most other research has shown that longer sleep is more beneficial for complete rest.
In an experiment conducted in Germany, students were asked to memorize a list of names and recall them after playing a patience game for an hour.
Some were allowed to sleep for five minutes at the beginning of the test, and later it was proven that they remembered significantly more words.
Before sleep, the brain again processes recent events and produces sleep-like feelings and various “crazy” thoughts.
It seems that during these moments the brain searches for new material to know what to do with it. It is precisely this short period that is very important for improving memory and much more important than sleep itself.
However, it would be best not to overdo it. A short nap should not last more than 20 minutes. This would damage the nervous system.