A closer look

If you want to master a new skill, the best thing you can do is immediately pass out. Instead of grinding for hours, studies show that going to sleep right after learning a physical or mental task dramatically improves retention. During the REM and slow-wave phases of sleep, your brain busily replays the new neural patterns, burning them into your long-term memory. Finally, a legitimate scientific excuse to aggressively nap immediately after attending a corporate training seminar.