How can a quick 10 minute power nap re-energize you so much, but sometimes sleeping for 8 hours still leaves you tired?

Question

Always wondered how that worked. Quickly dozing off for 10-15 mins in between work is like a 10 shot espresso coffee. But oftentimes sleeping a full night never really fills up the energy bar

In: 11

Answer 1

It’s all about timing. Sleep pressure builds over time so if you are constantly under sleeping then eight hours miht not catch you up. If you are sleeping most of what you need though and are in little need of sleep a little cat nap might do the trick.

Also, your stress hormones peak in the morning, dip down in the afternoon, rebound, and then wane in the evening allowing you to sleep. In this afternoon dip is where most ppl take that cat nap. If they didn’t sleep they prob would rebound all the same. But once they connect the nap w the rebound, the brain takes over through association and one can feel like crap wo it. It’s a sort of reverse placebo effect.