Seraphita, I like power naps. But before I substitute TM with a nap, I'd want to see research that indicates that the nap was contributing to whole brain enlivening and coherence, not just to feeling refreshed, though that is a good thing too. And I mean whole brain enlivening and coherence as indicated by an fMRI or EEG not just subjective report.
________________________________ From: "s3raph...@yahoo.com" <s3raph...@yahoo.com> To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2013 9:42 AM Subject: [FairfieldLife] The power nap: an alternative to TM? A power nap is a short sleep which terminates before the occurrence of deep sleep or slow-wave sleep, intended to quickly revitalize the subject. Various durations are recommended for power naps, which are very short compared to regular sleep. The short duration of a power nap is designed to prevent nappers from sleeping so long that they enter a normal sleep cycle without being able to complete it. Going beyond sleep stages I and II but failing to complete a full sleep cycle, can result in a phenomenon known as sleep inertia, where one feels groggy, disoriented, and even more sleepy than before beginning the nap. Brief naps (10–15 minutes) can improve alertness directly after awakening. Scientific experiments and anecdotal evidence suggest that an average power nap duration of around 30 minutes is most effective. Any more time, and the body enters into its usual sleep cycle. People who regularly take power naps may develop a good idea of what duration works best for them, as well as what tools, environment, position, and associated factors help induce the best results. Mitsuo Hayashi and Tadao Hori have demonstrated that a nap improves mental performance even after a full night's sleep. Power naps of less than 30 minutes—even those as brief as 6 and 10 minutes—restore wakefulness and promote performance and learning. (Copied from Wiki)
