A mini-workout may help memory as much as a nap after sleep loss, tell me about this news in (https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/26/health/sleep-loss-exercise-nap-memory-wellness)

Recent research highlights that a brief workout or a nap can significantly help protect memory and cognitive function following a sleepless night.

In a study led by researchers at McGill University, participants who stayed awake for 30 consecutive hours and then either completed a 20-minute session of moderate-to-vigorous exercise or took a 90-minute nap performed about 22% better on memory tests compared to those who did neither.

While both interventions yielded remarkably similar benefits for memory, brain recordings showed they operated through different underlying pathways:

• Napping helped the brain recharge, creating a more favorable internal state for absorbing and retaining new information.

  McGill University

• Exercise enabled the brain to utilize its remaining resources more efficiently to process and encode information, without causing extra feelings of fatigue.

  McGill University

Researchers emphasize that while physical activity or a quick rest cannot fully substitute for a good night’s sleep, a short workout serves as a practical, accessible, and inexpensive alternative for staying sharp when sleep deprivation is unavoidableespecially for shift workers, healthcare professionals, or students.