COSMOS MAGAZINE
A short nap might be the key to unlocking creative breakthroughs and problem solving, according to new research.
Scientists found that participants who entered deeper N2 sleep during a 20-minute nap were far more likely to experience an “aha” moment.
In fact, 85.7% of them cracked a hidden pattern in a tricky visual task — compared to just 55.5% who stayed awake.
The secret may lie in brainwaves: a steeper “spectral slope” during sleep was linked to greater insight.
So next time you’re stuck on a big decision, don’t just think it over — sleep on it.