Jun 29, 2016

Do You Nap?



I have this romantic vision of a perfect day spent in bed, reading and dozing off whenever I become sleepy. Probably sipping tea and snacking too. Sounds divine, doesn't it? But whenever the opportunity presents itself to have such a day, I never actually do it.

See, I'm a non-napper. 

I'd love to be a napper, but napping doesn't love me. I wake up groggy and cranky and have a brain fog for the rest of the day. (A full nighttime sleep seems to reset everything.)

My mother is a napper. Mr Bailey is a napper. My dogs are SERIOUS nappers. So why doesn't it work for me? If I do lie on a bed to read during the day and my eyelids become heavy, I have to fight it and jump out of bed to wake up again.

My new foster dog, Harry -- the one Napping  With Abandon in these photos -- takes napping to a whole new level. He loves nothing more than to be on a couch, having a little sleep. He's not fond of nature, he'd rather stay right where he is, thank you very much. And I have to say I'm rather envious.

Am I alone in this -- does everyone else love to sneak in a nap whenever they have a chance? Has anyone been a non-napper and worked out a way to successfully do it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts -- especially because it's a freezing cold day here and I have a good book I could snuggle under the covers with if I could fix this!


15 comments:

  1. Hi Rachel

    I do love Harry I want to curl up and nap with him LOL. I don't nap often these days either although I can do without too many problems but it can sometimes cause problems for me when I do go to bed I sometimes close my eyes for 5 minutes while sitting in a chair and that does me, years ago when I di a lot of night work I would often go to bed during the day to catch up :) no help I am sorry

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Helen, I love him too! And he'd be totally welcoming to you curling up and napping with him - he's such a smoocher!

      Interesting about doing night work - that must have helped you get into irregular sleeping patterns. I'm envious about you being able to have the 5 minute naps!

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  2. I would rather not be a napper... however the way that chronic pain has a tendency to zap energy or impact sleep quality combined with the fact that I work 40 hours a week in what can be a mentally exhausting job, means it is rare that I don't nap on Saturday and sometimes Sunday.
    I have no objection to napping, it's just that I seem to spend most of my Saturdays sleeping and not getting anything done.

    Is it any wonder that I'm such a slow poke with writing - since it tends to go to the side when I'm tired or ..... excuse.

    Harry is such a character when he naps - I'm going to miss your photos of him when he goes to his forever home.

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    1. Lyn, chronic pain is a rotten thing. Totally understandable that you need naps on the weekend.

      You know, I walk past Harry all the time and wish I had my camera in my hand - he always seems to be in a pose ready for a photo!

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  3. Rachel, I'm afraid I am no help whatsoever. Napping and I do not agree. Instead of power naps, mine sap my power and I'm brain-fogged and useless afterward. I do need my solid night-sleep though. Without seven or eight hours I don't function well.

    I do love the idea of a napping kind of day, as depicted by you, except without the naps!

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    1. Bron, that's me exactly! If I nap, the rest of the day is basically a write-off.

      We should call that happy day The Reading, Lounging and Snacking Day. :)

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  4. Now those are some seriously cute photos!

    No, I'm not a napper either, though I'm tempted. I watched a TV program recently about sleep and the experts said don't try to nap for more than 25 mins. If you nap for 30-60 minutes your body thinks you're going to indulge in a full cycle of sleep and that's why you feel groggy when you wake. Maybe try the shorter length? Instead of napping I love the idea of curling up with a great book.

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    1. Annie, I've heard that before about the sleep cycle length. Only problem is how do I wake up after 25 minutes? I've thought about setting an alarm, but sometimes it takes me 15 minutes or more to fall asleep, so if I set the alarm, I might only get 5 minutes.

      Yep, maybe curling up with a great book instead is the solution. :)

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  5. I've been working 12 hour days at my most recent job but if I had the choice, I'd definitely have a nap after lunch. It renews you for a longer afternoon session and leaves you fresh much longer into the evening. Nanny naps are awesome.

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    1. Cheryse, I'm *so* jealous! I love the idea of nanny naps but they're just not refreshing for me. Maybe I just need more practice? :)

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  6. I am a brilliant power napper even if I do say so myself, Rach. If I'm feeling a little sleepy in the afternoon whilst writing I crawl into my bed and fall asleep in about 1 minute flat. 20 minutes later my eyes fly open and I spring out of bed and pick up where I left off.
    I love it! Of course it would probably be better for my butt if I were to go for a walk instead...

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    1. Wow, Amy, you really have that whole routine down pat! I wonder if all the years of working nights has helped you be more flexible with sleeping patterns? I guess you would never have survived otherwise.

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  7. Your dogs are just the cutest!!

    I am also a non-napper, in fact that's how I can tell if I'm really sick. Sleeping during that day is not a good sign for me. But I don't stay up too late and I try to have a sleep in one day each weekend. Like most things in life, I favor routine ;)

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    1. Stefanie, that's such a good point - I do nap when I'm sick. But I guess the day is already lost then anyway. I'm already in a mind fog!

      Harry is adorable, isn't he? I'm going to miss him so hard when he goes to his forever home!

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  8. Isn't Harry lovely? I'd love to be a napper, Rachel, as people say a "power nap" revives you. But I can't sleep during the day unless I'm not well, so no naps for me. However curled up under warm covers reading with cats to keep me company is a different story altogether!

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