Power Naps Can Improve Cognitive Performance, Researchers Say

Power Naps Can Improve Cognitive Performance News
  • AIIMS study has found that taking power naps can improve one’s cognitive performance.
  • Short naps for 10-12 minutes during the daytime can provide numerous health benefits.

According to a pilot study conducted by the Patna branch All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), taking power naps can improve one’s cognitive performance. It enhances a person’s calculative ability and execution of skillful tasks, such as driving.

After examining 68 healthy male and female volunteers (18-24 years), the study showed that those volunteers who took a short nap during the daytime performed significantly better in problem-solving and task completion, as compared to those who didn’t take a power nap.

The participants were assigned into two groups and given 10 to 12 minutes to solve every level of a standard set of Sudoku. When any participants of one group got tired, they were asked to take a short nap, while another group was not at all allowed to take any nap during the entire time, as mentioned in The Logical Indian.

The findings suggested that 6 out of 37 participants in the group who didn’t take a short nap could complete the Sudoku, while 31 participants couldn’t. Similarly, 16 out of 37 participants could complete Sudoku, while 15 couldn’t in the group who were allowed to take a nap.

“Both slow-wave sleep, also referred to as deep sleep, as well as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a stage when a person dreams in sleep, during the day time nap has shown significant impact upon the uncompleted numerical logical tasks, suggesting the nap being a useful behavior for cognitive enhancement,” said Dr. Kamlesh Jha, co-author and additional professor, Department of Physiology, AIIMS-Patna.

Experts at the Mayo Clinic organization recommend people to take short naps for only 10-12 minutes throughout the daytime. They say that longer naps often make a person feel groggy afterward. Taking short naps improves memory and even strengthens logical reasoning ability.

To Know More About Different Terms In The News –

  1. Cognitive Bias
  2. REM Sleep
  3. Dreaming

Read More Related Articles From Our Partnered Site –

If You Face Any Problem Regarding Your Sleep disorder? Your Can Take This Free Therapy Test.

Up Next

How Social Media Makes Teens Materialistic

How Social Media Makes Teens Materialistic

A recent study revealed how social media makes teens materialistic.

Increased materialism is also linked to low self-esteem and poor mindfulness in adolescents.

Adolescent Mental Health

Adolescent mental health refers to the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of young people between the ages of 10 and 19. It is a critical period of development, characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, and social changes, which can lead to various mental health issues, such as:


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Why Just Listening In Silence To Someone With Depression Doesn’t Help?

Listening In Silence To Someone With Depression

A large body of research validates the benefits of listening in silence to someone with depression and social anxiety.

These works also highlight the importance of reflective listening and empathetic advising in mental health conversations.

Depression And The Science Of Listening

Depression is a debilitating mental health condition, marked by symptoms like sadness, anhedonia, worthlessness, and fatigue. Many people with depression find it difficult to manage their symptoms on their own and benefit from having someone to talk to.


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Is There A Rising Wave Of Sadness In Teen Girls?

Rising Wave Of Sadness In Teen Girls

Studies reveal greater incidences of violence and sadness in teen girls.

Early mental health care and a strong support system can go a long way in addressing these mental health issues.

Teen Girls’ Mental Health

Adolescence is a time of overwhelming changes. This phase also brings with it great vulnerability to poor mental health, especially in teenage girls.

Research shows that teenage girls are struggling with mental illnesses that impact their daily functioning and social relationships. The prevale


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Can Menstrual Disorders Change Women’s Brains?

Can Menstrual Disorders Change Women's Brains

Menstrual disorders refer to a range of conditions that affect a person's menstrual cycle.

Recent studies show that menstrual disorders change women's brains, making them susceptible to mental health disorders.

What Are Menstrual Disorders?

Menstrual disorders are conditions that affect a woman's menstrual cycle (or the regular, cyclical process that occurs in a woman's body to prepare for pregnancy).

Menstrual disorders can include a variety of different conditions that affect the frequency, duration, intensit


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Is India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy Effective?

India's National Suicide Prevention Strategy

India's Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) decriminalizes suicide, mandating the protection of individuals' rights who attempt suicide.

The act also provides for the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) to reduce suicide mortality by 10% by 2030.

Poor Mental Health And Suicide In India

Recent research shows that diagnosed, untreated, and mistreated mental disorders account for 88% of suicides in India. In the last two decades, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the suicide rate has increased from


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Temple Grandin: A Compelling Portrayal Of Autism And The Power Of Individuality When Van Gogh Cut His Own Ear: The Famous Van Gogh Syndrome 14 Tips To Boost Your Self-Love And Mental Health Beyond The Mask: Jim Carrey’s Journey Through Depression Keanu Reeves: A Look into His Journey with Mental Health Why Amanda Bynes Was Placed on Psychiatric Hold? The Unseen Struggle: Princess Diana’s Battle With An Eating Disorder Iconic Movie Actresses and Histrionic Personality Disorder: Exploring Complexity Hikikomori: Understanding The Japanese Culture-Bound Syndrome Is Brendan Fraser’s Oscar-Win Also A Mental Health Success Story? Are Chefs at Higher Risk of Mental Illness and Suicide? Can A Good Walk In The Woods Clear Your Head?