On the legitimacy of the 8-minute nap, he says “sleeping with your legs elevated can help improve sleep onset and quality as it allows blood to flow more easily throughout the body. This is the sleep science behind the 8-minute Navy Seal nap, but that's not the only thing that makes this nap potentially effective.”
Taking an eight-minute nap during the day, as recommended by a retired US Navy Seal. According to former Navy Seal Jocko Willink (great name), eight minutes is the ideal nap time: you wake up rested, without feeling groggy.
To do the Navy SEAL technique, simply set a timer for 8-10 minutes, lie down and elevate your feet above your heart. This can be done by lying on your back on the floor and putting your feet up on your bed or sofa. With your timer set, fall asleep and wake up when the alarm goes off.
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.
' 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. Constantly getting pushed harder and harder.”
He says, “thanks to foot elevation simultaneously performed with a relaxed back, your blood flows smoother within the body which triggers sleep faster than usual. This body position redistributes the blood on your feet to other parts of the body, promoting better relaxation and physical comfort.”
Falling asleep standing
The BUD/S trainees stay awake for five plus days in Hell Week to make sure they can do it in a war zone. SEAL operators and war veterans often have had to stay awake for 72 hours on and 12 hours off shifts.
"Now, take a deep breath and slowly exhale, relaxing your chest, your stomach, down to your thighs, knees, legs and feet." The technique was developed in the military to allow soldiers to fall asleep at any time.
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.
How Long Should a Nap Be? In general, the best nap length for adults is about 20 minutes and no longer than 30 minutes. Sleeping for 20 minutes allows the napper to get a bit of light sleep to boost alertness without entering into deep sleep.
Here's how to do it: Relax the muscles in your face, including tongue, jaw and the muscles around the eyes. Drop your shoulders as far down as they'll go, followed by your upper and lower arm, one side at a time. Breathe out, relaxing your chest followed by your legs, starting from the thighs and working down.
There's no hack for waking up early, says former U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. Rather, “What you need to do is, when the alarm goes off, you get up and you go get some,” he tells CNBC Make It. “That's what you do.
What's a NASA Nap? After years of research, NASA scientists found that power naps were able to boost their pilots' performance by 34% and improve alertness by up to 54%. The team at NASA determined that an optimal power-nap time should be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.
Navy SEALs can hold their breath underwater for two to three minutes or more. Breath-holding drills are typically used to condition a swimmer or diver and to build confidence when going through high-surf conditions at night, said Brandon Webb, a former Navy SEAL and best-selling author of the book “Among Heroes.”
By resting only half of their brain at a time, the seals (as well as whales and dolphins) are able to continue swimming, stay more alert, and (literally) sleep with one eye open.
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.
To relieve stress, Navy SEALs use a technique known as box breathing. Navy SEALs are frequently placed in high-stress situations. Box breathing is a valuable mindfulness technique that can aid in stress management and overall wellness. Box breathing is just one of the techniques used by Navy SEALs to stay calm.
Set A Strict Bedtime
Bedtime is a quick affair in the military, and sleeping eight hours is a key reason soldiers are able to wake up feeling alert. Setting a strict bedtime can help you ensure you're getting adequate rest. As Brantner explains, any other hacks for feeling awake "are band-aid type solutions.
A typical day for a soldier. 0530 wakeup. Clean common areas and conduct personal hygiene until 0630. 0630 to 0730 physical training.
"Reveille" (US: /ˈrɛvəli/ REV-əl-ee, UK: /rɪˈvæli/ ri-VAL-ee), called in French "Le Réveil" is a bugle call, trumpet call, drum, fife-and-drum or pipes call most often associated with the military; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise.
How much does a Navy Seal make? As of May 24, 2023, the average annual pay for a Navy Seal in the United States is $43,685 a year.
According to the Navy, only the head, face and scalp are off limits. The neck and behind the ear may have one tat but it should be restricted to one inch. Additionally, tattoos on the torso should not be visible through the white uniform shirt. For the rest of the body, there is no restriction on size and placement.
Applicants must be from 17 to 28 years old. Waivers for men ages 29 and 30 are available for highly qualified candidates. Men with prior enlisted service as SEALs who are seeking to become SEAL Officers can request waivers to age 33. Vision must be correctable to 20/25.