A new study shows that taking naps in the afternoon can help our brains solve problems better. The study found that REM sleep, which is when we dream, is especially important for this.
Researchers from Texas State University studied how people solve problems. They found that those who took naps were better at using past experiences to find solutions to new problems.
“When a problem feels hard, the phrase ‘just sleep on it’ may actually help, especially if you dream,” said the researchers.
In the study, 58 people tried solving different problems. Some took a 110-minute nap, while others stayed awake. Those who napped did much better on the problems later.
This study suggests that naps can make us better at solving problems. Having REM sleep helps our brains make connections between different ideas.
