Ever been told to 'sleep on it' when you were struggling to make a decision or come up with an idea? A new study suggests this is actually a great idea - your brain may in fact be able to process information during naps that it's not even consciously aware of. That's right, you have a great excuse to take a nap at work from now on.

Naps are great when you're the sort of person that can put their head down and fall asleep. I'm not that sort of person. Still it doesn't hurt to know a bit more about the art of napping.

You need a nap - but you're a parent! We've got you. While catching some mid-day Zs may be more challenging once you have kids (okay, that's an understatement), it's not impossible. You just have to be stealthy about it. Here are some sneaky ways to sneak in that nap you're so desperate for.

A quick power nap can determine the difference between staying productive or coasting through the day like a brain-dead zombie. But how much rest do you actually need to boost your energy levels? What are the best times of the day to score some quick Zs? And how does your circadian rhythm fit into it all this? This information-packed infographic from Art Of Wellbeing explains all.

Catnap, kip, snooze, siesta; whatever you call naps, there is no doubt these once frowned-upon short sleeps are gaining acceptance. But how useful are they in reality? And are they beneficial or detrimental to your overall health? Let's take a look at the science.

We've discussed how much sleep you need (at least seven hours, for most people), but often our real question is the flip side: Can you get away with less than the optimal amount, or even replace your night's sleep with a series of round-the-clock naps?

Everyone loves naps, as long as they've got the science of it down before they doze off. If you're one of those people who's not sold on a bit of midday sleep, you may have just been approaching it wrong -- sleeping too long, for example, and at the wrong time of day.

Not all naps are created equal. Some naps have been shown to rejuvenate where others boost creativity. What's more, when you nap can be as important as how you nap. Here's how to nap like a professional, nap-taking machine. Here's how to nap like you MEAN IT.

Co-called "nanna naps" are often seen as a sign of weakness or the onset of doddering old age. However, there is mounting scientific evidence to suggest that daytime slumber can improves health, productivity and general well-being. This infographic explains the biological reasoning behind short snatches of sleep, along with different napping styles to help you find the perfect technique for catching afternoon Zs.

The stigma against napping is finally starting to wane -- and for good reason. Taking a timeout to sleep during the day does much more than just give us a quick energy boost. It also confers some serious cognitive and health advantages as well. Here's what the latest science tells us.

We're told to have power naps to keep us safe on the road and improve our alertness if we've had insufficient sleep. They even help our surgeons stay awake during long shifts. But siestas and nana naps can also leave us feeling groggy and lethargic. So are they healthy or harmful?

Taking a 90-minute nap the day of a test or presentation sounds like a ludicrous luxury. But a recent study on the brain's ability to recall facts found that napping at noon could mean a lot more brain power at 6pm.

Writing things down, on paper or on-screen, is the best way to make sure you remember important info and tasks, but sometimes you've got to rely on your plain old brain to keep essential data sorted and handy. Whether it's a client's name, a password or combination you want stored only in your head, or answers for an upcoming test, there are plenty of techniques and tools to help you lock in important stuff and pull it out when needed. After the jump, we round up some memorable memory-boosting hacks. Photo by furryscaly.

The BBC takes on the topic of power naps, detailing many of the benefits and basic techniques we've touched on before—like tensing your muscles and saying "the and sticking to the 20 minute nap. One sleep expert notes one of the best ways to ease yourself into relaxation—listening to albums and mixes you've heard many times before:He suggests dusting down old and familiar CDs - new music is no good as you end up concentrating on the lyrics.
"You know old albums inside out and don't have to concentrate. They become pleasant background music."I'd have to say this holds true for work as well, as I too often find myself jumping away from my tasks with an, "Oh, which album is this from?" What music (or other sounds) get you into the power-nap state? Share your tips in the comments.
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