Let’s Talk with James M Jackson
July 20, 2017
To Nap or Not to Nap
by James M Jackson
… that is a question I used to struggle with. Now, I am a confirmed napper. My preferred nap lasts 20-30 minutes. If I sleep longer than that, I wake up a grogamuffin—what scientists call sleep inertia—and I waste a bunch of time trying to wake up. Anything shorter than 10 minutes leaves me mentally unsatisfied, although often even a few minutes gives me a physical lift.
Studies show that naps that don’t result in sleep inertia are good for you (provided you are not driving a car or the like). Our workaholic society frowns on them. What’s your take?
Posted in Let's Talk, with James M. Jackson, zed: Former Authors • Tags: BLB Discussion, James M. Jackson, Let's Talk, Sleep, To Nap or Not to Nap | 10 Comments
Some days I just have to take a nap. Other days, I’ll drink coffee after lunch to keep me going until the early evening. It depends on how much sleep I’ve had the night before and what else I need to accomplish that day.
You’re right, Nancy, that some days do not allow time for a nap and I soldier through them. 🙂
I used to take a reading break every afternoon, and often fell asleep (it’s an eye thing, not a “book quality” thing.) If I’m out for more than 20 minutes, I don’t sleep that night, so most of the time, I avoid the nap time. Hubster, OTOH, can sleep half the day and still sleep at night. He’s a regular napper.
I envy your husband. If I nap too long I won’t sleep well at night.
I’d certainly like to be able to take a nap some days, but its frowned upon at the day job, and I’ve never been good at falling asleep during the day unless I’m ill. I was always the one who didn’t want to miss anything.
Maybe you just need more experience with good naps a little later in life. 🙂
Naps are essential! I’m fortunate that I’m at a stage of life where no one notices if I need a personal time out to recharge. I’m not sure of the exact length of perfect nap for me. I believe it is more related to how much of a recharge is needed. My daughter calls short naps “power naps.” She can reboot in ten minutes. Takes me longer and I’m never Wonder Woman afterward (or before, for that matter), but I’m able to refocus and get going again, which to me was the whole purpose!
Sounds like a mature answer to the question of napping appropriateness.
Ever since I had a child, I have been struck by the great irony that the one time in life humans are able to take naps whenever they want, they don’t want to.
Yep, my daughter fought sleeping until her teenager years — then she caught up.