[Hot Air] Finally, a scientific explanation for how some of us of a certain age have gotten so much smarter than others over the years.Some wise cultures around the world with high noontime temperatures have midday breaks for a whole hour or two called siestas, which is Spanish for "four commutes a day."
When many Americans were younger, naps were punishment or an enforced rest to allow a presiding adult to grab some ZZZ’s too. Decades later, naps have become like delightful little vacations.
Now, it turns out, naps are not only restorative, especially if you haven’t slept well at night. But they also improve mood (check), physical performance (meh), even the ability to learn (check) and enhanced memory (can’t remember).
This all sounds so good that it might not be totally true. But we’re going with select health literature that says it is.