Taking a break for a nap, especially when you're in the middle of a project or a rush of work, isn't always an easy step. But if you're feeling unmotivated and unproductive, then a new theory circulating on TikTok is that of "short naps" affecting your productivity.
The creator of this theory, Thomas Edison, says that whenever he tried to solve a math problem or a problem at work, he would always take a few minutes of sleep. The ideal nap is supposed to be around 20 minutes, but the goal is for you to wake up during the transitional phase between being awake and sleeping.
This state occurs when your body relaxes and the brain experiences something called "hypnagogia," or dream-like visions, and they are often related to what you were just thinking about just before you fell asleep. A 2021 study conducted by researcher Delphine Oudiette and her colleagues at Northwestern University found that the "twilight zone", as it is known between sleep and waking, creates that state called hypnagogic.
The study was published in the journal Science Advances and showed that this approach greatly affects the increase in productivity at work, but also in your daily life.
"This condition is characterized by an increased association of ideas, illogical thinking, and increased exposure to external stimuli. All of these factors can help create an environment where creative thinking and problem solving can take off," says sleep coach Carlie Gasia.
If you are trying to find a way to solve a problem at work, a short break can help you solve many situations.
How to practice this type of nod?
The next time you're feeling uncreative or mentally stuck, Gasia suggests moving to a cool, dark, quiet environment for a quick break. Relax and let your muscles relax. The ideal nap should be five minutes or less. "With such a short nap, you don't have enough time to fall asleep completely, so you enter the hypnagogic state," she says.
To make sure you wake up quickly, you can try holding something in your hand, like a water bottle or your phone, so that if these objects fall out of your hand you can wake up immediately.
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