Why Wendy Holdener swears by power naps

Published on Feb 4, 2021
Wendy2 Sofa
Teilen
It’s well known that you like to take power naps – but when, where and for how long do you prefer to nap?

Wendy: “Actually, I’m up for a power nap anywhere. It’s a chance to relax briefly and regenerate every now and then. What more could you want? My favourite way to do it is to take a ‘little time out’ after lunch. Especially after a hard morning, it allows me to recharge my batteries for the afternoon. I prefer to nap in bed and usually for about 30 minutes, but sometimes I might not wake up for 45 to 60 minutes.”

Is a power nap effective before a race as well, or is that not possible at all?

Wendy: “It depends, because I’m not always relaxed to the same extent afterwards. But on a race day, I certainly can’t schedule an ‘ordinary’ power nap, because the day is usually quite long, and the programme is different from a training day. But in return I try to go to bed early on race days.”

HOLDENER Wendy 1055
Image: Head.com
Power naps: small time-out, big effect.
What’s the secret to immersing yourself in a power nap really quickly?

Wendy: “Get rid of your mobile phone, then think about something nice and relaxing! If the wrong sort of thoughts are running through your head, it takes a lot longer to fall asleep.”

Do your daily timetables, goals, curves and best times ever stop you from relaxing?

Wendy: “Yes, of course, I’m not a machine. Sometimes I even find myself thinking about the perfect run during a power nap. If I’ve had a good day, I usually fall asleep faster.”

HOLDENER Wendy 342
Image: Head.com
Power naps for piste power.
Do you also dream of skiing?

Wendy: “It happens, but most of the time I have enough other things to dream about. Although in the dropping-off phase, my thoughts are often still ‘on the piste’.”

About a year ago you were analysed by Swiss Sleep Science – how do you sleep today?

Wendy: “I found it enriching and exciting to discover that you can gain so much insight into the choice of the perfect sleep system from a back and lying analysis. Now I know that according to the latest science and research, I have the most suitable sleep system for me. Scientific analysis is standard when planning my fitness training – and now I’m probably one of the first female ski racers to rely on science for my sleep too!”

Wendy riposa 001
Wendy Holdener during a Swiss Sleep Science back and lying analysis.

Do you want to optimise your own sleep? Click here for more information on a back and lying analysis at Swiss Sleep Science, our competence centre near Sihlcity in Zurich.