Why Nana naps beat powering through
Tanya Furness
💤 Nana Naps
I’ve noticed that these evenings, I can fall asleep in front of the TV, launch into a full dream - and wake up without missing any plot.
Do you do that?
I'm not sure if it is an age thing or if I’m just wearing myself out more.
Probably a bit of both.
Micro-rests and simple “brain breaks” (nana naps) have had a burst of media attention lately.
This fits with what sleep experts have known since the 90s.
Even 10-15 minutes of light sleep has been proven to make you sharper, more productive, and more accurate than trying to push through a dip.
It takes a bit of discipline, but the results are worth it.
One of the companies we work with have been trialling short, timed rests for their teams.
People love these breaks. Like seriously.
Also, staff sickness is down, and the early productivity results are promising.
I love that while their preschool children are cuddling up with a blankie after lunch at nursery, mum or dad is bringing their headphones/eye masks to work for a little lie-down.
I, for one, am here for every single part of this. 😊
So if brain fog or that mid-afternoon dip creeps up on you later today, why not step away for ten minutes, if you can, set an alarm… and close your eyes.
Maybe hide in the car if you need to - don't tell them I said.
A tiny reset can be surprisingly effective, and it picks you up faster than a double espresso (my Costa of choice, if you're buying) and for longer too.
You might even find you get all the way through I’m a Celebrity, which I have not yet managed myself.
That’s decided - nana naps incoming!
Want to know more?
NASA Ames Research Center: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19960020369
Harvard Sleep Medicine: https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu
National Sleep Foundation: https://www.thensf.org
UC Berkeley Sleep Lab: https://sleep.berkeley.edu/research