There are jokes in my family about my habit of afternoon naps. Well, now I have scientific evidence about the health benefits of afternoon naps. German researchers wrote in the journal NeuroImage, that a nap may be just enough to help the brain reorganize so that new information can be stored more efficiently. Translation: clearer thinking and learning ability. The study offers a biological explanation for why people often perform better after an afternoon nap averaging forty-five minutes. Naps may be especially beneficial in professions or activities that require a high level of mental or physical performance. However, if the nap is driven by problems sleeping at night, our brain’s recovery processes may not get the full cognitive benefit of an afternoon nap.