Being a Napper

Feb 21

I love to nap! Lately, I have figured out how to incorporate it into my daily life. Naps recharge you, allow you to relax, boost cognitive function, increase productivity and creativity, make you feel more rested, improve energy, are restorative, and are good for overall health.

I have been using my Calm app every afternoon to have a quick siesta. During the week when I get home from work I have a nap, usually I drift off in 5 minutes, waking up 30-60 minutes later. This little boost makes me feel recharged, refreshed, and ready for the evening.

Since entering my 50s (4 long years ago), my sleep patterns have been less than ideal and inconsistent. I have no problems falling asleep, but staying asleep for longer than 90-120 minutes seems to elude me, so I sometimes wake up 2-3 times an evening. It becomes a vicious cycle of going to bed early then waking up early after a restless evening.

Naps have changed that for me – they allow me to stay up later and sleep better during the night. I can be more productive in the evenings and enjoy a longer day. This is assisting my goals of getting healthier, becoming fitter, and practicing the guitar. You need energy and to be well-rested to realize your goals, vision, and to live your best life – sleep is a critical part of achieving that. Perhaps, this is the beginning of my new restful sleep routine, which is so critical to overall wellbeing. One can only hope, as I am loving this new pattern. 3 cheers for the power of naps – we all need a recharge in the day.

How do you recharge each day? What components do you think are critical for wellbeing?