Napping



Let’s face it, we are busy. We over schedule our calendars and undertake obligations to create the lives we want, sacrificing much along the way. Often the first sacrifice is sleep. There are often not enough waking hours in the day to complete our urgent checklist of activities. We can feel well accomplished and at the same time feel drained and depleted. Our personal and professional activities have consequently lead to less time for sleep. Even a bad night’s sleep puts undue stress on the body and mind.

Historically, napping was a scheduled part of the day, midday siestas. The name comes from the Latin hora sexta, which means "the sixth hour.” The sixth hour is noon, which is when siestas often begin. Spain, and other Spanish influenced areas, Italy and other European countries go home, eat lunch with family and then nap. Somehow we lost that practice. The Industrial Revolution created a society that valued modern conveniences and granted more time for work and play. It instilled a work hard, play harder mantra. It created a disruption in sleep patterns, in which napping is the antidote to widespread sleep deprivation.

Today napping may have a negative connotation. To some, napping is the equivalent of laziness. Yet ironically, a short midday rest can leave you feeling motivated and joyful, making you more positive and productive for the remainder of the long day. Napping also improves memory, reflexes, vision, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease. I would rather take a nap than take medication for these conditions. It is a free and uncomplicated way to improve our health and well being.

So here’s the thing, being exhausted is like wearing impairment goggles, drunk goggles. Research shows that sleep deprivation messes with the frontal lobe of your brain, which is involved in judgment, impulse control, and social behavior. It will be challenging to nap at first as you may be preoccupied with other activities that keep you awake. Feelings of guilt about napping subside when you experience its benefits.

Exercise: Give yourself permission to nap
If your schedule allows a 20 to 30-minute midday nap, surround yourself with soft pillows and blankets or soothing music.
Try to take a nap at the same time each day and use an alarm clock to ensure that you don't fall into too a deep sleep.

If you’re like most of us and cannot go home midday or have the luxury of napping in your office, find a quiet place during your lunch or break. Tune out the world with noise-canceling headphones and play some soft music or ambient water sounds. Set the alarm on your phone.

My life’s lesson: I show up as a much better person when I put myself first, set boundaries and take the time to rest and rejuvenate. 

From the sweetest spot in my heart to yours, may your week be full of peaceful nap sessions.
~Audrey  

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