I used to be someone who just could not function if I tried to take a nap! I would feel absolutely horrible and was useless the rest of the day! Now, the older I get, I find myself looking forward to naps, especially on Sunday afternoons! About a 20 or 30 minute nap during the day makes such a tremendous difference! I can be completely exhausted and feel like I can't make it through the day, and I will take me a short nap and I'm good to go the rest of the day!
I found the article below that talks about power naps and the benefits. I wonder if we could get our offices to allow nap time during the afternoon?? : )
POWER NAP: Promote Health and Happiness 
Nap! Create Down-Time! Energize Thyself! by Janice Taylor, Life & Wellness Coach, Cert. Hypnotist, Author, Columnist and 50-pound big-time-loser. (write Janice for a free consult)
"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap." ~ Barbara Jordan faToid: Workplace accidents and errors peak at exactly the same times that our circadian rhythms cause a drop in alertness - between 2 and 5 p.m.!
The Exhausted Modern World.
The modern world puts enormous value on being as productive as humanly possible, which translates into working through lunch, staying late at the office, scheduling play-dates up the wazoo (or is it gazoo?), taking extra classes. .... You name it, and we're trying to fit it into our schedules. Our calendars are about to go up in smoke!
It almost feels punishing, doesn't it?
When exhausted you function less efficiently, feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and guess what ... you eat way more. Your body is sending signals that you are low on energy, because it needs more fuel to keep going!
Downtime/Nap Time: A Natural Part of Your Day.
Napping is an opportunity for our minds and body to take a break. Many mammals take naps; and in other parts of the world, napping a.k.a. siestas are worked into the daily routine.
Napping Promotes Health and Well-Being:
30 minute naps promote physical well-being, improve memory and mood;
20 minute naps sharpen your senses and revitalize you; and
10 minute naps can improve mood ... feel happy!
If possible, take a nap at the same time every day and use an alarm clock (initially, anyway, until it becomes a part of your routine).
New point of view: Napping is essential to my well-being. It's okay to crawl up in a corner for a few minutes and close my eyes.
Spread the word, NOT the icing!
Janice
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