Napping

Written by Robyn Holder Robyn Holder

Published: 07 April 2020 07 April 2020

Napping.  It’s for lazy, undisciplined people who waste time, right?  NO!!  Science is proving napping is one of the best things we can do for our mind and our body!

I recently had a great discussion with a group of young professionals – I call them “The Green Street Group.”  Most of them had taken a nap the day we spoke.  I was so proud!  These young people realize the value of napping, and proper napping, at that. 

Proper napping is rejuvenating, healing and energy-promoting! Like rebooting a computer, napping allows us to reset our mind, which is often all that’s needed when we are working on a problem, looking for a solution, or just exhausted. 

The key word above is “proper” napping, and my Green Street Group agreed!  Napping isn’t sleeping for an hour or two.  Napping is finding a quiet, comfortable place, and sleeping (or resting if you can’t fall asleep), for a maximum of 30 minutes.  Any longer than this is not a nap, it’s sleeping, and that’s for nighttime. Sleeping too long in the day will interrupt your replenishing night sleep.

I like to nap on a part of my couch that gets the afternoon sun.  I set my alarm for 30 minutes, put soft, soothing music on, and boom! I’m out.  The alarm forces me to wake up.  I might linger for a few more minutes, but then I am up and moving and feeling as if I can tackle just about anything!

As our work day continues to change, consider adding a break into each day and taking a nap.  Whether you are working at home or in an office, you could find it difficult to find a quiet place to rest.  If you are at home, can you encourage everyone to take a stress break?  If you are still in an office, find an office not being used, or even head out to your car to rest! 

You’ll find napping is a great tool to use to make sure you are focused, energized, and a little less stressed, too!

To Your Vitality!