Restoring Willpower with the Power Nap Method

The Issue

Not long ago, I wrote an article about Willpower - the Art of Focus for Developers. In the article, I mentioned willpower, which is also the source of concentration. If you know how to harness willpower, you will have more time for important tasks.

Sleeping is the best way to restore the body. A deep sleep can invigorate the body and recharge energy. However, not everyone has the opportunity to sleep anywhere and anytime. Besides saving willpower, there is another way to restore it, which is the Power Nap - a method that only requires 10-30 minutes but can provide immediate focus. So what is a Power Nap? How can you take a Power Nap? Let's explore in today's article.

What is Power Nap?

A Power Nap is a short rest for the brain that helps eliminate fatigue and sleepiness by simply closing your eyes and resting, unlike a regular sleep. A Power Nap of 15 to 20 minutes can be compared to a 3-hour night sleep. A Power Nap can provide extended focus for up to 150 minutes. The secret of this method lies in the rhythm of sleep, a cycle of alternating between light and deep sleep. A Power Nap significantly restores willpower by making the brain "believe" it has had a light sleep for 20 minutes.

Many countries recognize the existence of this method. In fact, in Japan, some companies even have policies that allow employees to take "Power Naps" to rejuvenate their minds after hours of stressful work.

When you sleep, you enter a state of "unconsciousness." Sleeping requires several conditions such as time to fall asleep, space, and sleeping position... so during short breaks like lunchtime in the office, it is challenging to quickly fall into sleep. Moreover, after waking up, it takes time for the mind to become alert enough to get back to work as usual. In contrast, a Power Nap is simply the act of closing your eyes and breathing slowly, allowing you to return to your previous state within seconds. Imagine sleep as the power button of a computer, while a Power Nap is merely a button that puts the computer into "sleep" mode temporarily instead of turning it off completely.

How to Take a Power Nap

Taking a Power Nap is both easy and hard. It is difficult for beginners but easy for those who are accustomed to it. This is because the Power Nap state is quite similar to meditation. You must remain still and focus on your breath.

First, choose a position that you find comfortable. It can be sitting, leaning against a chair, or lying down. Close your eyes and start breathing slowly, concentrating on your breath, following the rhythm. With this method, it is very likely that you may "doze off" during the Power Nap; some people even drink a cup of coffee before taking a Power Nap as caffeine typically takes effect after 20 minutes. Don’t forget to set an alarm after you start your Power Nap.

Conclusion

A Power Nap is a short sleep of about 10–30 minutes, achieved by merely closing your eyes and breathing slowly without completely entering deep sleep. A Power Nap quickly restores willpower. It has been proven effective by numerous studies and can be applied anytime, anywhere. If you are someone who finds it hard to sleep, has no time for a nap, or needs to restore focus immediately, then you should try this method. If you have ever taken a Power Nap, please leave a comment about your experience for me and everyone to know. Thank you.