A 20-Minute Nap Could Unlock Your Next Big Breakthrough
A short nap could be the key to solving tricky problems, according to new research. Scientists found that 71% of participants uncovered a hidden trick in a task after just 20 minutes of sleeping. The study suggests that even brief rest can trigger sudden flashes of inspiration—especially when reaching deeper sleep phases.
The experiment tested how shorts of sleep influence problem-solving. Participants who entered the N2 sleep phase had an 86% chance of experiencing an 'aha moment' upon waking. This dropped to 69% for those in the lighter N1 phase and 56% for people who simply rested without sleeping.
The results suggest that a well-timed nap could improve creative thinking and efficiency. Brain activity during sleep now offers a measurable way to forecast moments of insight. For those stuck on a problem, a short rest might be the simplest solution.
