“You Deserve a Great Nap:” Sara Mednick ’95 Talks to the New York Times about Maximizing the Health Benefits of a Midday Rest

Speaking with the New York Times, Sara Mednick ’95, professor and cognitive neuroscientist at the University of California, Irvine, says the best time to nap is about six to eight hours after you wake up in the morning. Mednick, who researches sleep and the autonomic nervous system, points out the benefits of napping even if you don’t actually fall asleep. We remain “somewhat conscious” in the early stages of sleep and “it’s still good rest,” says Mednick, who references a recent study that found that drifting into the lightest stage of sleep for even one minute during a 20-minute rest generated more creativity and better problem-solving in young adults.

Post Date: 12-05-2023