Go Ahead, Take A Nap

We know listening to Word of Mouth would never put you to sleep. But maybe your lunch left you in a food coma. We suggest that you just go with it.

There's a new report out that claims a long nap boosts creativity and problem-solving skills. Sleep researchers at the University of California-San Diego conducted a study with 77 volunteers. They found that subjects who snoozed for a full 90 minutes improved their results on a creativity test involving word associations. Those in sample groups allowed to rest for shorter periods showed no improvements on the aptitude test.

The theory is that those who slept longer reached a full, restorative REM sleep cycle. Researchers believe REM gives the brain a chance to freely transfer information and aids in learning.

So go ahead and doze off. You'll need all that creative energy to explain to your boss why you've been snoring at your desk all afternoon.

ScienCentral: Naps and Creativity

(Photo by star5112 via Flickr/Creative Commons)