Beat fatigue the Salvador Dali way: Scientists endorse power naps over caffeine

Sleep deprivation can create considerable discomfort. The effects of even one sleepless night can sometimes linger for the following week. Most of us resort to grabbing what's readily available - reaching for coffee or high-caffeine drinks. Regrettably, caffeine only provides transient stimulation. Two hours later, fatigue often becomes more pronounced than before.

So how can you invigorate your mind? Scientists from the University of Paris propose that power naps are a viable solution. This practice was employed by none other than Salvador Dali, renowned as one of the world's most eminent artists. So, how do you conduct a power nap? What benefits does it offer? Let's break this down.

Power naps, often called a "power nap," are a technique for countering creative blockages or fatigue, a practice favoured by Salvador Dali and Thomas Edison. It involves a brief period of sleep. However, unlike regular sleep, it can't extend indefinitely as waking up at the right moment is key. A few minutes after closing our eyes, we should begin to "drift". Although our eyeballs continue to move, we are aware of falling asleep.

This transitional state, situated between sleep and wakefulness, is called hypnagogia. After a while, we descend into a light yet highly rejuvenating sleep. The nap should ideally extend for 20 minutes, no longer. Despite the short sleep duration, power naps offer the body a chance for complete regeneration.

Salvador Dali was an ardent advocate of power naps; his esteem for them even prompted a dedicated chapter in his book, "50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship". According to the artist, a short nap acts as "a spiritual drop of anise for the soul, floating in a sugar cube of the body."

For years, scientists have attested that naps are among the most beneficial practices for our brain and body. Ideally, they should be taken in the early afternoon, as this brief sleep period supports our biological clock, immune, and nervous system. Notably, it also minimizes stress levels. Everyone deserves a rest.