Power naps aren’t just for kids or overworked executives. Studies show that a well-timed nap can improve alertness by up to 54% and boost performance by 34% (NASA, 1995). In fact, major companies like Google and Apple even have nap pods in their offices to keep employees sharp.

But why are naps so powerful? It all comes down to sleep cycles. A quick 10-20 minute nap allows your brain to rest without entering deep sleep, meaning you wake up refreshed instead of groggy. On the other hand, if you nap for 30-60 minutes, you risk hitting slow-wave sleep (SWS), which can leave you feeling even more tired than before.