Napping is not "just for kids".

When we’re children, we kick and scream “I’m not tired!” when our parents put us down for a nap. Thirty years later, we wish we could just lie down on the couch in the middle of the day and sleep for a few minutes without feeling guilty. Interesting, isn’t it?

Our society has programmed us to get up and stay up all day. Most of us are taught that, once we reach adulthood, it’s OK to rest during the day only if we’re sick, lazy, unemployed, or (insert your favorite negative adjective here). In a society that prizes hard work and productivity, the very act of being kind to yourself, of taking care of your body’s needs, can be interpreted as negative. But there are places in the world where taking a break in the middle of the day is considered not an indulgence, but normal, healthy behavior.

I have good news: You don’t have to move to another part of the world to nap. Recent scientific studies show that napping is good for you, and can actually help increase your productivity. I am not kidding. All of a sudden, napping has been scientifically validated: It’s OK to nap. What a relief.

Taking a short break in the middle of the day can recharge your batteries. By “a short break,” I mean a nap that lasts from fifteen to thirty minutes—enough time to “rest your eyes” but not enough for your body to go into deep sleep, which could leave you feeling groggy when you wake. If you’ve heard the term power napping, that’s what I’m talking about.

When you power-nap, I recommend you choose the couch or other non-bed sleeping area. Don’t get too cozy—it might be difficult for you to get up again. Turn off the lights, but don’t shut out any natural daylight that may be entering. Once you get used to napping, you’ll probably be able to wake up automatically after your necessary sleep time, but in the beginning you may want to use an alarm.

           Each of you is probably aware of a time of day when your energy level seems to lag, when you feel groggy. For most people, it’s the mid-afternoon. That would be a good time to take your nap. If you’re under a lot of stress or didn’t get a good night’s sleep, your need to nap will probably be greater. Learn to listen to your body, and give it the rest it needs. If you do, you may very well find that that afternoon slump in your productivity disappears.

Napping is a wonderful supplement to your regular sleep schedule. It should not, however, be a substitute for a good night’s sleep. Napping late in the day, or for too long, can interfere with your normal sleep patterns. To avoid that, take your naps at least four

to six hours before your normal bedtime, and make sure they last no longer than forty-five minutes.

Further Reading

The Art of Napping, by William Anthony, Ph.D.

Power Sleep, by Dr. James Maas