I was one of the very few amongst my friends in college who simply didn't nap. For some reason, I was determined to attempt to get enough sleep at night and saw my classmates who were dozing their afternoons away, as somehow wasting time. I know—what a strange way to be when you're in college, since usually those four years are marked with bleary-eyed all-nighters, midnight pizza runs, and catnaps whenever you can catch them.
But thank goodness I eventually loosened up and came around, and within a year or two of graduating I'd become a champion napper—something I can still claim to this day. Simply put, I'm a huge nap fan, and I can reliably catch some zzz's in almost any situation where I can put my head down and stretch out. (Unfortunately this ability to sack out does not extend to airplanes. The cramped quarters make falling asleep nearly impossible for me.) And honestly, there's nothing better than a nice long nap on a lazy weekend afternoon, with no alarm to wake you up or an end-time looming. Ahh.
And I'm definitely not alone in my nap-itude. According to a survey released last week from the Pew Research Center, 34% of Americans took a nap today! In general, the frequent nappers were older than their non-napping counterparts and had more trouble sleeping at night. Some other findings: more men than women admitted to taking naps; more nappers had also exercised within the last 24 hours; the nappers had a lower household income.
While the study didn't actually quantify what constitutes a nap, most sleep experts advise sticking to shorter 'power naps' that aren't too late in the day—about 20-30 minutes as opposed to a full-on, several-hour snooze that can spill over through sundown.
For other helpful tips on how to use a nap to your best advantage, check out this article from the National Sleep Foundation.
Do you take naps? Do you prefer to sack out on a couch or do you actually take to your bed for the quick sleep?
Photo from Flickr
I am a massive supporter of naps. I try to get one in every day, but some days I don’t due to my schedule. Thanks to a more steady workout program, the napless-days aren’t so bad.
I used to nap on the couch, but I also work in the living room/office, so it is better to go in the bedroom so I don’t start getting lax while “working”.
I love short power naps! it is just enough to recharge without interrupting your bedtime!
Since I work from home, I have the luxury of taking naps every day. I usually fall asleep on my couch for an hour or so during the afternoon. There’s nothing more relaxing–or invigorating–than a solid nap.
I’ve been a napper for years! While I was working, it was pretty much relegated to weekend nap. Then I developed fibrmyalgia and napping became an intergral part of the natural healing proces. Back to work and naps were again relegated to weekends. Not enoough sleep is a major factor with fibromyaliga so one sleeps when one can.
Contracted peripheral neuropahy and extreme fatigue again became a problem so back to the ‘good for me’ naps..
Now I am retired…still wake up bright and early (today it was 5:30 a.m.) and I’m actually heading in for a 30-40 minute nap! I’ll wake up refreshed and go ahead and finish up my day.
Napping is a great pleasure and one I won’t do with out!!
Sadly no. Rarely can I fall asleep in the middle of the day. [At night, I'm asleep about 5 minutes after my head hits the pillow.] But the idea of napping sounds divine.
I like to take a nap about once or twice a week. Unlike my husband who can take a ten minute “power” nap in a chair, I need to go lay down on my bed and be comfortable, and ten minutes doesn’t do it for me either. I find that about 30-40 minutes is optimal. I then have my batteries recharged and I’m usually fine until bedtime.
I LOVE naps!!!
I nap whenever possible–without it I get cranky
Naps should be encouraged!!