Take a Nap! Change Your Life

A neuroscientist and sleep researcher explains the physical, psychological, and cognitive benefits of the good old-fashioned nap. Research has revealed a well-timed nap can increase alertness, boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve perception, stamina, motor skills, and accuracy. Even better, a napping habit can enhance your sex life, help you make better decisions, keep you looking younger, aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of heart attack, elevate your mood, and strengthen your memory. In this guide, a researcher at the Salk Institute and the leading authority on the study of the nap reveals a scientifically based breakthrough program that shows how we can fight the fatigue epidemic-which afflicts approximately fifty million Americans-through a custom-designed nap. Sara C. Mednick explains the five stages of the sleep cycle, particularly Stage Two, Slow Wave Sleep, and REM, and the benefits each one provides; how to assess your tiredness and set up a personal sleep profile; and how to neutralize the voice in your head that tells you napping is a sign of laziness-after all, JFK, Churchill, Einstein, and Napoleon weren't exactly slackers. Using the unique Nap Wheel, discover exactly when your optimum napping time is, and exactly how long you should try to sleep-and how it's possible to design a nap to inspire creativity one day, and the next day design one to help improve your memory. Also included are tips on how to create the right nap environment, a sixteen-step technique for falling asleep, a six-week napping workbook, and more.