The hack
Taking an eight-minute nap during the day, as recommended by a retired US Navy Seal.
The test
According to former Navy Seal Jocko Willink (great name), eight minutes is the ideal nap time: you wake up rested, without feeling groggy. TikTok is awash with sleep hacks, but might this one work? According to Willink, you have to “elevate your feet above your heart and then set your alarm for eight minutes, and afterwards he feels like “superman”.
Science-wise, keeping your legs elevated can help blood flow, promoting faster sleep. I love a nap and usually aim for 20 minutes max, so this hack speaks to me. It’s Monday, I’m editing my book and when I hit the 3pm slump I either nap or eat biscuits – both worthy pastimes. But today, I lie on my yoga mat, elevate my legs on the nearby sofa, and set an alarm for eight minutes. I fall asleep a little faster than usual and I feel pretty good when waking up, but definitely feel as if I could sleep longer. I’m probably not in REM or deep sleep which usually comes after at least an hour of sleep, so I do feel a tad more energetic afterwards. I try this for the next few days and feel I’m getting used to the brevity of my naps. They don’t feel that different from my 20-minute naps, but the leg elevation seems to work. I wonder if I’m allowed to take, like, five mini naps a day? Willink probably wouldn’t approve. Sigh.
The verdict
Worth a crack. It could be that my brain just likes having a little rest at that point in the day, so maybe a soothing meditation or a walk would have the same effect. I’ll keep Seal napping and keep you posted.