News that a quick siesta can improve cognitive function is little surprise to those who’ve seen the results of my 2pm doze
Some anecdotal evidence regarding daytime napping and brain health: last week, directly after lunch, I turned on the television to check the cricket before returning to work. When I woke up on the sofa 15 minutes later, the crossword puzzle in my lap was complete.
These findings are a little hard to quantify, because I slept through them. Perhaps I completed the puzzle just before I conked out. It’s possible, I suppose, that a mischievous person stole the crossword from my lap, filled it in and put it back. Of course I prefer the idea that I finished the crossword myself, while unconscious, because it reinforces my assertion that I’m getting things done even when my eyes are closed.
Tim Dowling is a regular Guardian contributor
