What is a documented benefit of short naps?

• A. Decreasing alertness
• B. No effect
• C. Impairing memory
• D. Improving mental and physical acuity

Answer: (D)

Short naps refresh alertness and cognitive performance by giving the brain a quick reset without plunging into deeper sleep. When you sleep about 10 to 20 minutes, you wake before slow-wave sleep, so you avoid grogginess and feel sharper, with better attention, faster reaction times, and improved mental clarity. This combination—enhanced mental and physical readiness—is the well-documented benefit of brief naps. Longer naps can lead to sleep inertia or interfere with nighttime sleep, which is why the advantage is specifically tied to those shorter naps.