Quote of the day:
Rest is essential, but during our periods of rest, we must think to ourselves that in resting we are renewing our energy to fulfill our commitment. -Wu Wei
Napping is universal and it is everything depending on where you are and who you ask. In some countries it is not uncommon to have naps during the day. One thing to admire about them is the culture they've created for themselves with the understanding that naps are an important factor in increasing energy, mood and reducing the stress of everyday life.
In Spain it's known as a siesta and has become a great part of the culture there. While in Japan the concept of inemuri which translates into 'being present while sleeping' is common. They pride themselves in being hard working people and as such it is not uncommon to find people sleeping off say during a meeting. And it is socially acceptable.
Although I understand the positive effects of taking one, it always seems to disrupt my sleep pattern later on at night. The longer the nap, the longer the disruption caused. But if it is just a 20 or minute nap it works out well -a nap isn't meant to be much longer anyway. These days we lead disruptive lives and become more and more sleep deprived. We are advised to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily but it doesn't always work out that way does it? In the end I dare say that it's not really the lack of sleep that is the matter, it's the fact that there are a ton of distractions around begging for our attention. In this modern day there are too many things to do, so much information and new flying around, and not to forget -advanced social media and technology. Most of these things were not in existence 20 to 30 years ago. So we get drawn in, and in doing so lose our sense and purpose and our health suffers. A nap can form a refreshing appearance, like a water well in a desert that quenches a traveler's thirst -if only for the time being.
And speaking of naps, some companies (Google, Apple, Nike) agree about it's benefits and even introduced napping infrastructure for their employees. What better way to increase alertness than taking a short nap. And during bedtime maybe it's time to do away with mobile phones and other gadgets that keep us awake and deprive us of rest. Lack of rest can be really exhaustion. When last did you nap or get a good night's sleep?
Peace. Love. Light*
Current Listen: Clifford Brown -Easy Living
52 Comments
Naps are the best. I think society should accept them far more than they do, since we would all be more productive and better off with a quick little recharge NICE post. Erika
ReplyDeleteI slept very well last night. The temperature finally dropped. I opened the windows and enjoyed the cool breeze. We got down to 64 degrees last night. It's a little warmer and more humid today, but we still have the windows open.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Nothing better than a little nap!
ReplyDeleteI take at least one of my 'involuntary' naps a day. I can be watching TV, reading, or painting etc and all of a sudden it's 10 or more minutes later. If I lay down with the intention of taking a nap, I lie there wide awake like an idiot.
ReplyDeleteNaps which are too long disturb my sleep. I sleept well last night! First time in ages!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy a good nap! Sometimes it makes up for lack of sleep during the night.
ReplyDeleteI always try most days a take a 15 minute nap. It always helps and I get that discussed energy boost. I think they recommend 15 minutes...anything longer will not be good, and you'll feel more tired.
ReplyDeleteLike you, any more than a twenty minute doze and my later sleep will be upset. If I go to sleep properly during the day, it is a disaster for me.
ReplyDeleteIn Portugal they call it “sesta”. In some parts of the country the temperature can reach 40+ degrees in the summer. Impossible to work outdoors. So people take naps instead!! How wonderful!! Not all!
ReplyDeleteOne of my mother’s sisters was a beautiful woman. (My mom was too!!) Never worked outside the home. Took care of her family, and of her house in a very organized fashion so she could have time to have a nap after lunch. Almost everyday. Naps, she would say, would slow the aging process, and avoid wrinkles. She had a terrible relationship with wrinkles. She could not fathom the idea of ever having “crow’s feet”! I should clarify at this point that we do not call it “crow’s feet” in Portugal. We prefer “chicken’s feet”!! : )) She was very careful with sun exposure as well. “Tanning” was not part of her vocabulary.
Living in the Algarve … that was quite an achievement!! : ))
She passed away not too long ago. She was 76 years old. Her face was almost wrinkle free!!!
Now… good sleep and I – there is definitely a problem! I am trying to fix it!!
People are so different. I can nap for hours and still fall asleep at my 10-11pm bedtime without any trouble...Alex though, if he naps, it messes up his sleep patterns for weeks at a time.
ReplyDeleteΟh yes! A little nap time helps! Thank you for the very interesting post, my friend.
ReplyDeleteIf I close my eyes right now, I'll fall asleep. Unfortunately, I don't do 20 minute naps. If I fall asleep, it's usually for two hours.
ReplyDeleteThe best nap cycle for me is an hour. Usually after lunch.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are retired not only can you get 7 - 9 hours of sleep but you can take as many naps as you want.
ReplyDeleteI nap a lot but I'm not at all sure I am more alert!
ReplyDeleteAdorable photo!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent writing!!!
I am special case when it comes to nap ,i don't know the exact resason as i never researched on it but i was not able to take more than two hours nap during long summers back in my village like my parents and younger sister .(talking about my youth time 20ies of my age)
i felt annoying when everybody was sleep though sun was shining and beautiful life was flourishing all around us with all it's beauty and wonders.
after marriage i again saw my hubby taking naps for almost hour after lunch ,meanwhile i read or invest my energies in some other hobbies or delayed chores of house.
now i am 47 and can take nap but not more than 20 or hardly half hour ,if mistakenly some day i take more due to tiredness it disturbs my night time rest and it hurts lot so i avoid to take more .
yes it helps in feeling great in evenings
Hi Blogoratti - if I nap, I never seem to recover for the rest of the day - thankfully a good night's sleep is something I manage and without electrical interference ... but I know many suffer from an inability to sleep. Some thrive on naps - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteLiving in Southern Spain I have grown to enjoy a siesta. My only problem is that I’m not a morning person and taking a nap makes me face the day twice.
ReplyDeleteI love naps, but I don't have time lately:)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I get up so dang early, that I end up taking a 45 minute nap during the day, usually. Thankfully it doesn't affect my sleep when I go to bed for the night. I agree, that it gives that extra boost needed throughout the day. Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteSo when I close my eyes and just listen when hubby and I are watching a movie at night I can tell him I'm practicing "inemuri" the Japanese art of being present while sleeping. I like it!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately some people don't understand the need for sleep. I worked a 12 hr. overnight shift as a nurse and almost got fired for putting my feet up and closing my eyes on my "unpaid 1/2 hr. break". Even though the other nurse knew where I was in case of emergency, the agency had a no sleeping on shift policy. They didn't get the fact that I wasn't being paid for that 1/2 hour so should be able to do whatever I wanted and that includes taking a rest. I really should have fought that. Instead I ended up having to leave that job as they made it a living hell for me to be there because I was trying to get some justice for us all. So sad......
It's a shame that so many people have this aversion to napping. I think that some people nod off while watching television because it gives them permission to relax, for a change.
ReplyDeleteI love naps, too. But I usually get them during weekends because on weekdays my work, son and business wont let them happen. lol
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!
Have a fantastic weekend ahead.
I find a doze, which is a short nap where I am not all the way asleep but floating half sleep half not makes me feel better than a real go to sleep nap. and I do know the longer the nap the worse I feel when I wake up and it does mess with my night of sleep. for one year I worked the midnight shift 2 nights a week. had to be there at 10:30 pm. I would lay down at 8 and sleep until 10 and that is how I made it through the night
ReplyDeleteNot by choice, but I don't sleep really long at night anymore. So, I have a short nap on many days. Your 20 minutes is almost a maximum time for me, and 10 is more likely. There are odd exceptions but not many.
ReplyDeleteI nap every afternoon, usually whether I intend to or not I will fall asleep for a short nap around 2pm, I agree that all devices should be shut off at night because they do disrupt your sleep more than you realize.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself a professional napper. It really helps me when I can grab a nap during the day. I'm so much more productive overall.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI think naps are wonderful, when needed - best kept short, though. I can close my eyes for ten minutes and feel rejuvenated for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo you used for this entry!
Naps sadly do not work for me at all. Not even when I´m sick can I fall asleep during the day.
ReplyDeleteMy husband can close his eyes and fall asleep. It is a gift.
ReplyDeleteAlmost impossible for me to nap.
I have never been able to nap. It does affect my sleep later. I have a hard time sleeping when it's light outside...I feel like I need to be up and doing something productive!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
I always enjoy a good nap!
ReplyDeleteI read once that if you are going to nap, make it a 'power nap' at around 20 min, or sleep for more than an hour.
ReplyDeleteI nap all the time, in fact that's all I do in between working nights ... never sleep more than 3 hours ... it's my way of life, Mr B ... Love always, cat.
ReplyDeleteAs usual very interesting! Have a nice day)
ReplyDeleteWe try to work in an afternoon nap at least once on the weekend, with the dogs with us on the bed, but fall is busy for us so it rarely happens. Naps don't affect my sleep at night; only caffeine does. :) And hi! Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteThe only time I am able to nap during the day is if I am sitting in a comfortable chair, reading and feeling nice and warm. Then, my problem is waking up and remembering where I left off! Grenville naps quite regularly and he usually does so for about an hour. I have been working on getting a minimum of 7 hours sleep per night and hopefully will get to 8 hours, but some nights sleep doesn't come easily like with other folks.
ReplyDeleteI don't nap really.
ReplyDeleteI usually (unintentionally) nap whilst watching TV in the evening! :)
ReplyDeleteEveryday I enjoy a good nap! Interesting post as usual!
ReplyDeleteLove, Paola.
Expressyourself
What a cute picture :)
ReplyDeletePetons
I nap all the time and in between ... never sleep more than 3 hours, friend B ... maybe because I work permanent nights ... but am okay with that ... the napping and the working, I mean to say ... meouw ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteI like to take a quick 20 minute nap in the afternoon. It's a great way to recharge and power through the rest of the day.
ReplyDeletePicture of the napping dogs is so cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a nap taker myself.
Absolutely delightful photo of the doggies napping and wonderfully informative post ~ ^_^ right, keep it simple ~ avoid all those distraction if one can ~
ReplyDeleteLove and Light,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ aka ~ (A Creative Harbor)
We sleep at odd times (usually only for a few hours, if that)... not only "toss and Turn", but often flail about (sometimes waking with bruises or injuries).... cannot lay down and try to sleep... brain will Not "Stop Thinking"... and if out of my nerve pills... can go a few days without sleep... a pleasant weekend to you and yours, good Sir.
ReplyDeleteA short nap gives your brain a break much in the same way you take a coffee break. When refreshed you are more productive.
ReplyDeleteNaps are such a good idea ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I love naps, haha. And the never disturb my sleep at night!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could nap! It's not in my DNA. I had a good sleep last night ~ hoping for one tonight! wishing you rest Blogoratti!
ReplyDeleteI think naps are wonderful, when needed - best kept short, though. I can close my eyes for ten minutes and feel rejuvenated for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeletedoctor strange (2016)
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