James B. Maas, the pioneering psychologist who popularized the concept of the “power nap,” passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 86. Revered for transforming tiredness into a subject of national fascination and workplace reform, Professor Maas’s work left an indelible mark on how sleep is valued—especially the brief midday nap that claims to refresh both body and mind. Following his passing, the global scientific community continues to expand on his foundational insights, revealing the intricacies of why short naps offer unique cognitive benefits and the right way to integrate them into modern lives, including those of Thais grappling with work-life pressures and sleep deficits.
Sleep, often considered a passive or even wasted period, gained new meaning through the decades-long career of Professor Maas. During his half-century tenure at Cornell University, his lively, accessible lectures drew crowds of up to 1,600 students. Professor Maas became renowned through his bestselling book “Power Sleep: The Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance”, and as a tireless advocate on the lecture circuit, in media documentaries, and through practical consultancy with schools and corporations. While the term “power nap” may not have been coined by Maas himself, he gave it mainstream appeal and scientific legitimacy, embedding the idea into workplace wellness strategies and personal routines worldwide. As he wrote: “The process of sleep, if given adequate time and the proper environment, provides tremendous power… It restores, rejuvenates, and energizes the body and brain” (NY Times, Wikipedia).
Why does the story of the power nap matter in the Thai context? In Thailand, a nation where productivity and social engagement often overshadow the importance of adequate rest, many urban workers and students may find themselves chronically sleep-deprived. The tradition of midday napping, while not as embedded as the Spanish siesta or the Japanese inemuri, aligns closely with the Kingdom’s cultural appreciation for maintaining balance—“kwam pen mai”, or mindfulness and moderation. Yet, as lifestyles modernize, screens proliferate, and work cultures tighten, the nap is increasingly dismissed as a luxury, or even a sign of laziness. Research inspired by Maas shows why this mindset is due for a change.
Recent scientific studies reaffirm—and refine—Professor Maas’s advocacy for naps, especially those of short duration. According to a comprehensive review published in the National Institutes of Health database, brief naps of 10 to 20 minutes have a unique ability to dissipate daytime sleepiness and restore alertness without the grogginess known as “sleep inertia” that might follow longer rests (PMC). The logic behind this phenomenon is not as simple as previously thought. The dominant two-process model of sleep regulation—encompassing both the need to recover lost sleep (homeostatic pressure) and our natural circadian rhythms—could not account for why a person awakes from a short nap feeling strikingly more refreshed than after a longer, deeper sleep. Enter the so-called psycho-sensory wake drive, a theoretical third component that has been hypothesized to boost alertness upon awakening, adding new depth to how scientists think about restorative rest.
The latest meta-analyses further clarify napping’s benefits for learning, memory, and brain health. A 2021 review found that even when individuals already have had normal nocturnal sleep, a 30- to 60-minute nap significantly improves cognitive performance, with heightened alertness being most consistently observed (Psychology Today). For students—from high-schoolers in Bangkok striving for the best “GAT-PAT” scores to university students pulling all-nighters—research shows that taking a brief nap after class or study periods consolidates memory, increases creativity, and boosts recall for up to a week. In a 2022 study involving over 4,000 people, afternoon nappers of less than 30 minutes demonstrated better overall cognition than those who did not nap or napped for longer periods. A 2023 largescale analysis linked regular napping to larger brain volume, which is crucial for long-term brain health.
But are there downsides to napping? Yes—and Professor Maas himself did not recommend undisciplined or excessively long naps for everyone. Studies highlight that naps longer than an hour may increase the risk of metabolic issues such as type-2 diabetes by up to 50%, and can even signal underlying cognitive decline in the elderly, as longer or more frequent naps may presage the onset of dementia (source). Importantly, these findings show correlation, not causation; excessive daytime sleepiness may itself be a warning of evolving health problems. Frequent napping, especially in younger adults, is also linked to underlying sleep disorders, disrupted sleep cycles, or mood imbalances such as depression. Therefore, experts like those from the American Sleep Association and medical faculties globally continue to recommend strategic, short naps over aimless, lengthy ones (PMC5835054).
The Thai context brings additional factors into play. With Bangkok ranked high for its relentless traffic congestion, workers often face long commutes that cut into sleep time, fueling daytime sleepiness in both office settings and service jobs. In Thailand’s competitive education sector, students study late and wake early, making the promise of a midday nap or even a 10-minute “recharge” especially attractive. This is echoed in comments by health officials in Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, who recommend that students and shift workers try to fit in a short nap between school hours or work tasks to improve focus and minimize accident risk—consistent with Maas’s original message. There is, however, a cultural balancing act: While napping might be praised in Japanese and Chinese organizational cultures, Thai society has not yet entirely shaken off the stigma that associates visible sleep with weakness or lack of discipline, particularly in professional settings.
Experts urge an attitude shift, based on evidence rather than tradition. As one sleep scientist, who collaborated with Professor Maas, told the New York Times: “Until I met Jim and took the class, I hadn’t thought much about sleep. As a high school student, I struggled with sleep.” These comments highlight how education about sleep, both in and out of the classroom, is essential for changing behaviors at every age (NY Times).
For Thailand’s employers, schools, and policy planners, taking lessons from Maas’s philosophy means looking seriously at integrating nap-friendly spaces and schedules. Leading tech companies globally now offer nap pods for employees, with data showing improved performance, mood, and retention. Thai companies, especially those in the digital economy, may find themselves following suit in the future. School health programs could introduce evidence-based nap breaks, particularly in vocational schools where practical learning and concentration are key. The public health case is strong: Rested drivers are safer; alert students learn faster; and well-rested health workers make fewer critical errors.
Historically, Thailand has a heritage of honoring rest and renewal, embedded in Buddhist culture’s regard for moderation and caring for the body as a “temple.” However, Westernization, economic pressures, and the constant presence of digital technology have eroded personal downtime. Maas’s insistence that “sleep is not a vast wasteland of inactivity” offers Thais a scientific rationale to restore a cultural value that is already latent in national traditions.
Will the “power nap” become a pillar of Thai wellness culture in the future? With chronic sleep deprivation now recognized by the World Health Organization as a public health issue linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even mental health disorders, policymakers in Thailand may one day officially endorse strategic workplace and school napping. Some public hospitals and progressive schools already quietly offer nap rooms, but there are hurdles to mainstream acceptance. Social perceptions, outdated school rules, and rigid work hierarchies must transform, supported by public education and the persuasive force of ongoing research.
So how can Thai readers take action now? The most practical recommendations drawn from both local experts and international research are:
- Aim for consistency: Try to nap at the same time each day, ideally early in the afternoon.
- Keep naps short: Set an alarm for 10 to 20 minutes to avoid grogginess.
- Find a quiet, comfortable spot: Block light and minimize distractions.
- Integrate—don’t replace—regular sleep: Power naps are supplements, not substitutes, for a full night’s rest.
For schools and workplaces, consider experimenting with nap trials, supported by information campaigns that debunk the myths linking naps to laziness. Administrators should observe results and gather feedback before making broader reforms. And for individuals, approach midday tiredness not as a failure of willpower—but as the body’s signal for renewal, one that science now champions thanks to the lifelong work of James B. Maas.
In the words of Professor Maas himself, as quoted in an interview with student journalists, “I try to get eight hours, midnight to 8. I try to power nap at every opportunity. When I don’t get eight, I can tell it in my lecturing… It makes a heck of a difference in my golf game, and in my tennis game.” For Thais everywhere, following this wisdom may mean not just sharper minds and healthier bodies, but a return to living with the balance and energy that traditional culture has always prized.
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