A power nap is often consider to be
physically rejuvenating, but a team of
German researchers found that a short nap,
lasting about an hour, can significantly
improve memory, specifically retention of
single words and word pairs they had just
learned. They examined a particular type
of brain activity in the hippocampus where
memories are consolidated. A group of
volunteers who did not nap after learning,
but watched DVDs while the other group
slept did significantly worse in remembering
word pairs. The researchers say there is a
clear conclusion from the study—that a
concentrated period of learning followed by
short relaxing sleep is all that’s needed.
They recommend a short nap at the office
or at school is enough to significantly
improve learning success.