ted serbinski – a blog about drupal, macs, productivity, health, and bmws

a blog about drupal, macs, productivity, health, and bmws

Taking Naps with Pzizz

Usually everyday, around mid-afteroon I lay down for a quick Pzizz session--or rather, a quick 30 min nap. Pzizz is this amazing piece of software that generates mp3s files (anywhere from 10-60 min long) to quickly put you to sleep to recharge, waking up refreshed and a bit less stressful.

It works on the principal of binaural beats--creating two tones of slightly different frequencies, one in each ear. These tones are then heard within the brain as a beat when they overlap. The frequency of these beats then starts to resemble the same frequencies that the brain sleeps at, causing deep relaxation and a sense of refreshment. For more details on this, check out how Pzizz really works.

I've been "pzizzing" for almost 5 months now and have to say it's wonderful.

Not only that, but a recent Washington Post article found that naps lower the risk of heart disease:

The study [...] the biggest and best examination of the subject to date -- found that those who regularly took a midday siesta were more than 30 percent less likely to die of heart disease.

Increased productivity, less stress, and a longer life span. Not bad for a 30 min nap :-)

3 comments

 
cubicray (not verified) wrote 1 year 33 weeks ago

Do you have to use headphones (or ear buds) or can you play the sounds through your speakers? Can you suggest some comfortable headphones/earbuds?

Thanks for the info.

 
ted wrote 1 year 33 weeks ago

Yes, you need headphones for this to work. Otherwise, if you use just speakers, both of the sounds (one meant for left ear and one meant for right ear) will hit both of your ears at the same time and you’ll lose the effect :-)

The best earbuds that I have found to be the most comfortable, sound the best, and work in all kinds of conditions (sleeping, going to the gym, traveling, etc.) are the Shure E2c, which you can find for around $80 if you search around.

 
mlsamuelson (not verified) wrote 1 year 32 weeks ago

I pzizz, too, and the naps are wonderful.

Coincidentally, I was listening to a few naps today on a plane ride to Rhode Island for Lullabot Drupal workshops. I could have used those Shure E2c “sound isolating” ear buds, as listening with the standard iPod buds on an airplane is less than fruitful – the sound of airplane drone (omni-aural drone?) prevents one from distinguishing binaural beats.

mlsamuelson

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