Sorry, long hiatus from LW so just saw this comment.
I actually found / find eating low carb maximizes my energy levels generally, sleep deprivation or no. Or, more specifically, it avoids the sluggishness / energy dip that often comes after eating a satiating amount of carbs. I know Atkins and other low-carb proponents claim that it provides more / more sustained energy (IIRC, the mechanism of action is avoiding blood sugar swings), but I haven’t looked into it rigorously, TBH.
I worked as a strategy consultant for several years, with an unreasonable work-life balance, and in college generally did not get enough sleep, so I have some experience to draw on here :-).
I’ve found transcending-based meditation to be super restorative and often much easier to drop into than a 20 minute nap. I practice Natural Stress Relief Meditation ($40 self study course at nsr-usa.org), but I read a recommendation for the 1 Giant Mind app, which teaches a similar technique and I think is free.
As for being productive while awake: I’ve found the following most effective:
Maximizing energy
cold showers (you can start with a hot shower, just end with a one minute cold shower at the end… Feel free to warm up afterwards with clothing or bedding)
high intensity cardio (I personally do 15 min on the elliptical, alternating between 30 second intervals of sprinting and 30 seconds of easy walking—but the general goal is to get your blood flowing and heart racing without exerting yourself so much that it significantly tires you out).
Eating low carb and as little as you can
Listening to non-vocal electronic music
Staying focused
Using the pomodoro technique
Using blockers like leechblock and appblock
Turning my phone off and putting it in a different room physically
Maximizing clarity of thought:
Storing as much as possible on paper (electronic or physical) - diagrams, bullets, detailed action steps—rather than my working memory