The Surprising Brain Upgrade That Happens When You Nap
Key takeaways
- Author: Ava Durgin May 10, 2026Assistant Health Editor By Ava Durgin Assistant Health Editor Ava Durgin is the former Assistant Health Editor at mindbodygreen.
- But a new study is challenging this long-held belief.
- New neuroscience research1 suggests that a brief afternoon nap doesn’t simply make you feel better; it may actually reset the brain in a way that improves learning and mental clarity.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Ava Durgin May 10, 2026Assistant Health Editor By Ava Durgin Assistant Health Editor Ava Durgin is the former Assistant Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She holds a B.A. in Global Health and Psychology from Duke University.Image by Nikita Sursin / Stocksy May 10, 2026For a long time, naps had a reputation problem. They were framed as indulgent, lazy, or something you only needed if you didn’t sleep well the night before.
But a new study is challenging this long-held belief.
New neuroscience research1 suggests that a brief afternoon nap doesn’t simply make you feel better; it may actually reset the brain in a way that improves learning and mental clarity. And notably, we’re not talking about hours of sleep. We’re talking about something closer to 45 minutes.