A power nap (the Navy SEAL version with your legs elevated, or a more typical lying-down-flat version) can definitely be beneficial if you find yourself drowsy during the day, but don't use it as a substitute for getting the nighttime sleep you need on a regular basis.
First shared by former Navy SEAL officer Jocko Willink on “The Drive” podcast in 2019, this 8-minute nap trick had a viral moment in 2022 when it made the rounds on TikTok. “The Navy SEAL sleep method is primarily a sleep tactic for quick napping purposes,” says psychologist Candice Seti, PsyD.
The Navy SEAL Sleep Technique has been a trending TikTok hack all summer, made more famous by Nick Vitello, who explains the technique there. To fall asleep, Navy SEALs put their legs up on the bed in a Z position. The Navy SEAL Sleep Technique is a short, refreshing nap of eight to 10 minutes.
' You get 4 hours of sleep. You're not allowed to have any caffeine. Throughout the entire week, you're hungry, you're cold, you're sandy, you're wet, just the lack of sleep.
A nap can boost your energy but don't zonk out too close to your bedtime, La Reau said. "Naps are really helpful, and any sleep is better than no sleep at all," La Reau said. "When the baby takes a nap, that could be a good time for you to take a nap." Just think of it as a lull in combat.
The Bottom Line on the Navy SEAL Power Nap
A power nap (the Navy SEAL version with your legs elevated, or a more typical lying-down-flat version) can definitely be beneficial if you find yourself drowsy during the day, but don't use it as a substitute for getting the nighttime sleep you need on a regular basis.
“The Navy SEAL Sleep Technique is a perfect hack for those without time to sleep, but it should not be used to replace a full night's sleep,” Dr. Hsu explains. He also warns that you shouldn't rely on it too often, or as a replacement for a full night's rest.
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.
A good rule of thumb is to perform no more than 200 push-ups or sit-ups and no more than 50 pull-ups in a single day, and no more than 1000 push-ups or sit- ups and no more than 250 pull-ups in a week. Practical performance goals for the PST are about 100 push-ups and sit-ups and about 20 pull- ups.
The five-day ordeal includes non-stop physical activity, which ranges in intensity from running to obstacle courses to paddling rubber boats for miles on end. The only rest provided is during meals and on those extremely brief — and rare — occasions when the instructors allow the students to nap.
Close your mouth and quietly inhale through your nose to a mental count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven. Exhale through your mouth, making a whoosh sound for a count of eight. Repeat the process three more times for a total of four breath cycles.
It happens in a relatively short time period, but it provides a lot of benefit. A power nap can help you to feel more alert, less sleepy, boost your creativity and productivity, decrease stress and increase your immune system function.
No one is immune to anxiety, not even Navy SEALS.
NASA's ultimate recommendation is power naps between 10 and 20 minutes long.
An average Navy SEAL can hold their breath for 2-3 minutes during underwater exercises, but with proper training, some can extend it to 5 minutes or more.
Yes, navy seals can have tattoos. There is no law announcing that a Navy seal cannot have tattoos. However, there are some limitations and restrictions regarding the placement and design of tattoos. As of March 2016, tattoos including full sleeves are acceptable.
On top of that, the first female special tactics officer graduated from the Air Force in 2022. Despite this attempt to have more women, there still aren't any female Navy SEALs. Jason Birch, a Navy Captain, explained how the Navy has made efforts to increase female special warfare candidates.
The exercise is very basic. The purpose is to test the breaking point of candidates by low movement exercises in cold waters of the Silver Strand Beach in Coronado. Laying in 6 inches of water where the white wash rolls in from the surf.
According to Willink, the key to his nap is to “elevate your feet above your heart and then set your alarm for eight minutes.” He says that 10 minutes is the longest he likes to nap, and a 12-minute nap would leave him feeling a little bit groggy when he wakes.
It reduces your profile in the water so one is less likely to be spotted during combat missions that require surface swimming. Chances are you won't ever really need to master this stroke (unless you're a secret spy or in the Navy SEALs).
The military sleep method involves the following steps: Breathe deeply: Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Take slow, deep breaths. Relax your face: Slowly relax all the muscles in your face, starting from your forehead and then moving downward over your cheeks, mouth, and jaw.
Hitting the Sack: Lights Out. In all the branches' basic training programs, bedtime is usually 2100, or 9 p.m., except during times of special events, such as night exercises. In basic training, lights out means go to sleep.
"Put your feet up on the bed, or on something high, a couch, anything," he explained. Nick continued, "Set a timer for eight minutes and take the best nap of your life. It's a Navy SEAL trick and it works."