In the modern world, we're often compelled to be as productive as possible
during as many hours of the day as we can be. While this can lead to great
feats of accomplishment, we may become exhausted and find ourselves craving
rest and rejuvenation. We may feel like taking a nap but feel guilty about
indulging in even ten minutes of rest. This need for personal downtime, which
many people experience in the early afternoon, isn't a sign of laziness nor
is it necessarily related to how much sleep you had the night before. There
was even a time when taking a nap was considered a natural part of everyone's
day.
Napping is a pleasurable yet brief period of sleep when our minds and bodies
can take a break. Though judged by many to be a pastime for children or the
elderly, napping can benefit people of all ages. The desire to nap is a
trait shared by many mammals, and napping is still an important part of the
day in some countries. Snoozing for a half-hour can be an enjoyable way to
promote physical well-being, and naps have been known to improve your mood
and memory. A 20-minute nap can sharpen your senses and revitalize you, while
a ten minute nap can leave you feeling more cheerful. Falling into a light
sleep during the daytime can feel meditative. The thoughts you have as you
are taking a nap and the dreams you experience may offer you insights about
your life that you may not have at night when you are in a deep sleep.
In order to fully enjoy the benefits of napping, you may need to give
yourself permission to nap. Feeling guilty about snoozing or worrying about
your to-do list won't do you much good when you are trying to take a nap
because your thoughts or feelings will keep you awake. Try to nap at the same
time each day, and use an alarm clock to ensure that you don't sleep for too
long. If you go to an office, try crawl under your desk for a nap. Learning
to nap and enjoy its restorative benefits can help you wake up restored,
rejuvenated, and ready for the rest of your day.
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