A Power Nap Can Boost Memory

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a big believer in the ‘power nap’ – and as it turns out, it’s even more powerful than I thought!

New research has found a 45-minute snooze doesn’t just leave you well-rested; it can also boost your memory by up to five times.

As part of a German study, participants had to learn 90 single words as well as 120 unconnected word pairs such as ‘milk taxi’.

Some then watched a DVD while others indulged in a sneaky nap. According to the subsequent article in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory journal, those who had slept remembered more word pairs than those who hadn’t.

Yep, the old adage, “you snooze, you lose”, couldn’t be further from the truth!

Technically, the nappers’ memory performance didn’t improve compared to the levels measured immediately after the learning phase, they did remain constant – while the memories of people in the other group faded.

According to the Saarland University scientists, bursts of brain activity known as ‘sleep spindles’ play an important role during sleep in consolidating new information.

A nap of just 45 minutes to an hour can produce “a five-fold improvement in information retrieval from memory”.

The conclusion? “A concentrated period of learning followed by a short relaxing sleep is all that's needed” to enhance recall.

Now excuse me while I indulge in a quick snooze at my desk (hey, it’s for my memory)!

Are you a fan of the power nap?

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66 Member Comments

BeautifulJusty 5 Jul 2017 5:52 PM

Only once in a blue moon on a Sunday

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lynx 5 Nov 2015 1:48 PM

I just cant seem to fall asleep in daylight hours, have never been good at that.

Petal 30 May 2015 5:06 PM

I spend half of my life napping - I have debilitating chronic fatigue syndrome.

Becmay 6 Apr 2015 6:03 AM

Ooh, I love naps! Any longer than 30 mins and I wake feeling heavy and tired though.

Bkz1 1 Apr 2015 10:32 AM

Naps make me even more tired!

VivaliciousChic 31 Mar 2015 11:51 AM

Love the power nap! I get it now and then on Sundays. But tried to limit myself to 30-45 mins. Most times i power nap for 2 hours and end up not being able to sleep at night haha

robyn smithwick 31 Mar 2015 5:23 AM

Power naps work well especially when you have to drive long distances!

Erica859 31 Mar 2015 5:10 AM

I'm finding the older I get, I need a nap around lunch time on Sundays...

TheDevineOne 30 Mar 2015 12:11 PM

Wow I've actually been limiting my naps to 30 mins at a time because Ive read that it's the optimum nap length. Maybe next time I'll try a longer snooze...