A recent study from the University of Hamburg found that a 20-minute nap, reaching the N2 sleep stage, can increase the likelihood of experiencing creative insights, also known as "Eureka moments." The study involved participants solving a task, followed by a nap while their brain activity was monitored.
Results showed that 85.7% of participants who reached the N2 sleep stage solved the problem, compared to 63.6% in the N1 stage and 55.5% who stayed awake. Researchers suggest N2 sleep aids memory consolidation and semantic association reorganization, crucial for creative problem-solving.
While promising, the authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these insights.
This study confirms the idea that a short nap can be a useful tool for unlocking creative potential and solving complex tasks.