Professor Sara C. Mednick is a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of California, Irvine and author of The Hidden Power of the Downstate (Hachette Go!, pub date: April, 2022) and Take a Nap! Change Your Life. (Workman). She is passionate about understanding how the brain works through her research into sleep and the autonomic nervous system. Dr. Mednick’s seven-bedroom sleep lab works literally around-the-clock to discover methods for boosting cognition by napping, stimulating the brain with electricity, sound and light, and pharmacology. Her lab also investigates how the menstrual cycle and aging affect the brain. Her science has been continuously federally funded (National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense Office of Naval Research, DARPA). Dr. Mednick was awarded the Office Naval Research Young Investigator Award in 2015. Her research findings have been published in such leading scientific journals as Nature Neuroscience and The Proceedings from the National Academy of Science, and covered by all major media outlets. She received a BA from Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, in Drama/Dance. After college, her experience working in the psychiatry department at Bellevue Hospital in New York, inspired her to study the brain and how to make humans smarter through better sleep. She received a PhD in Psychology from Harvard University, and then completed a postdoc at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and UC San Diego. She resides in San Diego, CA. SHOWNOTES: 😴 The NAP MAP: Understanding the benefits (and potential risks) of short vs. long naps 😴 How does HRV serve as a "stress mirror" for your nervous system? 😴 Rev vs. Restore : Dr. Mednick’s signature model of how our nervous system rhythms affect sleep and vitality 😴 The 24-Hour Sleep Strategy : Why great sleep starts the moment you wake up 😴 The Surprising Role of Micro-Naps: Creativity spikes in just 2–5 minutes of rest?! 😴 Emotions + Sleep: Can a joyful mindset really impact your HRV and recovery? 😴 Circadian Intelligence: How syncing your meals, workouts, and light exposure to your internal rhythm creates lasting impact 😴 Tools & Tips: From earplugs to melatonin and analog books—what’s on Dr. Mednick’s nightstand 😴 Real Talk: Why even sleep scientists have bad nights—and how self-compassion + napping can help 😴 And many more! SPONSORS: 🪟 Ublockout — Can you still see your hand in front of your face when you are in bed? Well, you NEED to know about this company that will get on a Zoom call with you and help you measure your windows for a custom AND affordable blackout solution! Enjoy 10% OFF. Code: SLEEPISASKILL 🛌🏻 Transform your sleep with Eight Sleep ’s cooling mattress—personalized temperature control for deep, restorative rest every night. Code: sleepisaskill 🧠 If you “Can’t Turn Your Brain Off” at night… https://magbreakthrough.com/sleepisaskill 😴 Struggling with STRESS and restless nights? The Align Mat uses PEMF therapy to calm your nervous system, lower cortisol, and set you up for deeper, more restorative sleep—all while you simply lie down. I literally use it every single night! Code: sleepisaskill GUEST LINKS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_mednick_downstate/ X: https://x.com/Sara_Mednick DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this podcast, our website, newsletter, and the resources available for download are not intended to be medical or health advice and shall not be understood or construed as such. The information contained on these platforms is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Next Steps To Upleveling Your Sleep - Website: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/ ‘Sleep Obsessions’ Monday Newsletter: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/newsletter 8-Week Wearable Group “Optimize Your Sleep” Program: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/optimize Sleep Is A Skill Podcast: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/podcasts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollie-eastman-sleep-is-a-skill-82531825/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollie.eastman TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepisaskill Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sleepisaskill/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SleepIsASkill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy-IU372xapHLvXnZRbXU7A
