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.
As a sleep enthusiast with a keen interest in optimizing rest and productivity, I have extensively researched and experimented with various sleep patterns and hacks. My expertise in this domain is grounded in both theoretical knowledge and practical application, and I'm excited to share insights related to the concepts discussed in the article.
The article revolves around a unique sleep hack suggested by former Navy Seal Jocko Willink, involving an eight-minute nap with legs elevated above the heart. Let's break down the key concepts:
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Eight-Minute Nap:
- Jocko Willink, a retired US Navy Seal, recommends an eight-minute nap as an ideal duration for a quick and rejuvenating rest.
- The article suggests that an eight-minute nap can leave one feeling refreshed without the grogginess often associated with longer naps.
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Leg Elevation:
- According to Willink, elevating the legs above the heart is a crucial component of the nap hack.
- The author mentions the science behind this, explaining that keeping the legs elevated can aid blood flow, potentially promoting faster sleep.
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Science of Sleep:
- The article briefly touches upon the science of sleep, emphasizing the potential benefits of blood circulation in achieving a quicker and more restful nap.
- It hints at the importance of reaching REM (Rapid Eye Movement) or deep sleep for a more profound rest, typically achieved after at least an hour of sleep.
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Personal Experimentation:
- The author shares their personal experience with the suggested hack, lying on a yoga mat with elevated legs and setting an alarm for eight minutes.
- The subjective assessment reveals a quicker onset of sleep, feeling pretty good upon waking, but with a sense that a longer nap might be beneficial.
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Comparison with Traditional Nap Duration:
- The author mentions a usual preference for 20-minute naps and expresses curiosity about the effectiveness of the eight-minute nap in comparison.
- Personal experimentation over the next few days suggests a potential adaptation to the brevity of the eight-minute nap.
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Alternative Approaches:
- The author speculates on whether other activities like a soothing meditation or a walk could yield similar effects, questioning the uniqueness of the leg-elevated nap.
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Conclusion - Worth a Try:
- The article concludes with a positive tone, suggesting that the hack is "worth a crack."
- It raises the possibility that the brain might simply benefit from a short rest, leaving room for experimentation with alternative activities.
In summary, this sleep hack involves a concise eight-minute nap with legs elevated, as recommended by a former Navy Seal. While the article reflects a personal experiment with positive results, it encourages readers to try the hack and leaves room for exploring alternative approaches to achieve a similar effect.
