How Cat Naps Affect Your Mood and Memory

By Jen Sprague | February 23, 2018
WANT TO BOOST YOUR MEMORY AND MOOD? TAKE A NAP, BUT KEEP IT SHORT
We’re told to have power naps to keep us safe on the road and improve our alertness if we’ve had insufficient sleep. They even help our surgeons stay awake during long shifts. But siestas and nana naps can also leave us feeling groggy and lethargic. So are they healthy or harmful?
First, let’s look at the benefits.
Many people experience overwhelming sleepiness during the mid-afternoon while reading or working on the computer. Taking the time for a brief nap will almost immediately relieve this feeling and improve alertness for a few hours after waking.
A brief nap can not only reduce sleepiness but also improve cognitive functioning and psychomotor performance (the brain telling the body to move). A few minutes of shut-eye also considerably enhances short-term memory and mood.