I do enjoy a good solid nap. I don't know why it seems that once you grow up, you don't really nap anymore. Naps were especially useful in college, especially if you had a class that was earlier than 11.
In various times of unemployment, I made naps a daily feature if I was also staying up late. (I did back in 2001 as well, but I think that was mostly depression.) The key is setting up the parameters for a successful nap ahead of time.
Above all, set an alarm. It varies for everyone, but if I go much over an hour, it'll hose my overall sleeping times. I know that it's especially tempting to just keep sleeping, especially if you're having one of those dreamy-imagination things going on. It's nice to indulge in some kind of fantasy, but sleep too long and you end up with a headache or feel like a slug.
I get hung up on my notion that I should always be doing something, so it feels good when I nap and think, "You know, I listened to my body, it said I was tired, and I responded." I just had one of those experiences!
No comments yet.