The claimWhat Mikaela actually said
After winning Olympic gold in 2018, Shiffrin said she lies down between her first and second runs on every race day, with headphones on, and often falls asleep. The same report notes she averages about ten hours of sleep a night and looks forward to a daily nap.
- foxnews.com: Mikaela Shiffrin in their own words
- Lastella M, et al. Nature and Science of Sleep, 2021. Systematic review: daytime napping in athletes can improve physical and cognitive performance and perceived fatigue, with 20 to 90 minute naps most studied.
- Mah CD, et al. Sleep, 2011. Sleep extension in collegiate basketball players was followed by faster sprints, improved shooting accuracy and better mood.
Why it mattersWhy this matters for longevity
Athletes commonly sleep less than recommended, especially around travel and competition.
Napping is free, and the same logic applies to anyone running a sleep debt.
The evidenceWhat the science says
A 2021 systematic review of napping in athletes concluded that daytime naps of about 20 to 90 minutes, taken in the early afternoon, can benefit physical and cognitive performance, perceptual measures and psychological state. A 2011 study extending sleep toward ten hours in collegiate basketball players reported faster sprint times, better shooting accuracy and improved mood.
Most studies have small samples, short durations and no blinding, and the sleep extension study had no control group. The research does not show naps replace adequate night sleep, and long or late naps can leave people groggy or disturb sleep that night.
TakeawayThe honest takeaway
The practical lesson
If nights run short, a 20 to 30 minute early afternoon nap is a low-risk way to restore alertness.
Planning for a parent, or for yourself?
Good habits matter, and so does knowing what help exists. AIOSeniors asks a few questions and gives you a free, personalized list of what applies: government programs, nonprofits and community resources included, whether or not anyone earns anything from them. Where the answer is not known, it says so.
RelatedRelated habits
Each of these is a habit you can build on its own. Explore them through the Topics index.
SupplementsThe supplement angle: Magnesium
Support a habit, do not replace one
Some people use magnesium in the evening, but the evidence for sleep is limited. Sleep timing and duration matter far more than any supplement.
Supplements can support good habits. They do not replace sleep, movement, nutrition, or medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting anything new.
This is educational commentary, not medical advice, and does not imply that Mikaela Shiffrin endorses, is affiliated with, or uses Winning Longevity or any product. We critique the claim and the evidence, not the person. Any direct quote is a placeholder until sourced. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider before changing your routine. See our health disclaimer.
