topic Re: Naps in Wellness

Naps

qualitygal — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:20:50 GMT

I don't know if it's age or something else, but I'm thinking maybe, I'll start taking naps. Do you nap daily? My husband does like clockwork, and I'm up hours before he is. His mother use to. I think my mom would go into her bed and nap too. Maybe at this time in my life, it would be a good consideration.

Re: Naps

shy bobcat — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:24:59 GMT

My husband and I lie down every day. Sometimes we fall asleep and sometimes not, but we each look forward to it.

Re: Naps

LindaSal — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:27:04 GMT

I generally nap only when I'm not feeling well. I am an early to bed, early to rise kind of person and I think if I napped that would mess up my sleep schedule. However, one thing I am learning with age is listen to your body, if you need to rest, then rest.

Re: Naps

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:28:34 GMT

@shy bobcat I love it! You'll find us and the poodle Wallace doing the same around the 3P hour til about 5P actually. He usually does fall asleep, me maybe maybe not but it's restful to close my eyes.

Re: Naps

Dusty1 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:29:06 GMT

@qualitygal I come from a long line of nappers. My Dad & both brothers nap daily. My sister & I don't nap daily, but when the mood hits it's the best thing ever.

I lay on my bed, never get in bed. That seems to be the way to get a nice refreshing nap & not signaling your body to really go into a deep sleep.

On my bed, light cover & I turn on my audio book for 15 minutes. I am usually gone by 3 minutes into the book.

20-45 minutes is my perfect amount of napping.

Good luck on your napping plan!

Re: Naps

walker — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:54:19 GMT

My DH and I both take a rest break after lunch for half to one hour.....read or sleep but rest. We call it our "union break" 😉. Sometimes I fall asleep for ten minutes and that is enough...a power nap. But, I always rest....or as my father used to say...."I'm resting my eyes". I agree with @LindaSal ...as we get older, listen to your body. If you are retired you probably have extra time now to "think of yourself"...rest and recharge! 👍

Re: Naps

On It — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:01:58 GMT

To overcome fatigue my doctor recommends lying in a zero gravity position (on a bed, reclined in a La-Z-Boy) so the muscles are relaxed. No reading, no TV, just the body and mind fully relaxed. When fatigue is out of control, do this twice a day for an hour. It does not matter whether or not you sleep.

It stands to reason a nap would energize the healthy human body. The important part is turning off or tuning out distractions.

Re: Naps

catter70 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:04:46 GMT

I never nap. If I feel my eyelids starting to droop I get up and walk around for a minute or 2. Like @LindaSal I'm also early to bed, early to rise. I find it hard enough to fall asleep, then staying asleep is another matter. Don't want to make it any worse. I do rest though, just not a nap.

Re: Naps

kaydee50 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:05:38 GMT

Yes, both DH and I take afternoon naps but not at the same time!! One of the many joys of being retired. We're in our 70s but have been taking naps for years.

Re: Naps

grandma r — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:26:52 GMT

@qualitygal. I love naps!!! Even if it's 20-30 minutes, it makes a difference. Of course, on a cold/damp rainy day snuggling up under a cozy blanket is the best.

Try napping and see if it works for you.

Re: Naps

SilleeMee — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:57:20 GMT

I take a 10 to 15 minute nap before 2pm and no later than 3pm.

If I do it after 3pm then I have trouble falling asleep that night and then I toss and turn for the rest of the night.

Re: Naps

justashopper — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:58:17 GMT

I have always been a napper. I am generally young (51) and in great health. but I do get mentally and physically tired. A nap definitely improves the day.

I think a big component to the success is the duration. Too long and I will be kind of in a fog or just not as easily able to get back into the day. So I think 20 mins is the best time frame for a mid day or after work cat nap.

I am able to wake up from that feeling good and still able to sleep at night. If it's the weekend, I can nap on and off or whatever because I have more time to myself. I do find when I lay down, I fall asleep easily and I normally sleep through the night.

I am not sure when it became a positive trait to not need sleep. but I think that's a big mistake. We need to balance work, pleasure, rest, & nutrition to maintain a healthy life. We need all those things to skip any of them regularly will cause problems.

Re: Naps

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:04:54 GMT

I wake up early. Sometimes I'll fall back asleep. But even if I do, I never sleep past 7:00AM. I don't intentionally go to bed for a nap, but I do a RLT treatment on my feet after lunch and will doze off in my loveseat most days - not long, usually 20-30 mins. I don't like napping later in the day as it messes up my being ready to sleep at night. My dad used to always take a 20 min. power nap after supper and could keep going until midnight.

Re: Naps

DrBabs — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:11:53 GMT

I love to take a nap. Sometimes I plan one, sometimes one sneaks up on me. I bought new recliners for the sunroom and I swear they are filled with lavender -- every time I sit down in them I fall asleep!

Re: Naps

Goldengate8361 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:14:57 GMT

I honestly can't imagine taking a nap during the day.....I have way too much cortisol running through my veins during a typical day and I like it that way. I only sleep about 4-5 hours every night. Been that way since I was a kid. Guess we are all different, right?

Re: Naps

Kachina624 — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:30:52 GMT

When I nap during the day, I don't sleep well at night or can't go to sleep, the I'm extra tired the next day.

Re: Naps

PamfromCT — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 15:53:45 GMT

Many days I take a nap. And I have a close friend who naps daily according to schedule. She takes her phone off the hook.

I get up quite early, but I like being able to stay up later in the evening. At my age, my nappie gets me through. I just cuddle up with a cozy throw on the family room couch. I guess I have learned much from Winston, our kitty.

Re: Naps

jlkz — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:03:43 GMT

Since this Spring, I have on occasion taken an afternoon nap.

After we had sold the mountain place last year, I used its master bedroom furniture to create a relaxing B&B type guest room.
Rather than disturb the beautiful king size bed, I decided to stretch out across the top of the down blanket, take out a small pillow from the closet as well as a very soft, furry throw that was long enough to cover my feet without constantly fighting the throw. Closed the floor length tapestry curtains to dim the light.

Most times I ended up sleeping for about 2 hours. It didn't disrupt my regular sleep pattern.

Re: Naps

Shelbelle — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:16:16 GMT

Ilook forward to a nap in the afternoons. I still work 3 days a week and get up at 6, I cant keep my eyes open after lunch.

Re: Naps

on the bay — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 20:30:53 GMT

@jlkz wrote:
Since this Spring, I have on occasion taken an afternoon nap.
After we had sold the mountain place last year, I used its master bedroom furniture to create a relaxing B&B type guest room.
Rather than disturb the beautiful king size bed, I decided to stretch out across the top of the down blanket, take out a small pillow from the closet as well as a very soft, furry throw that was long enough to cover my feet without constantly fighting the throw. Closed the floor length tapestry curtains to dim the light.

Most times I ended up sleeping for about 2 hours. It didn't disrupt my regular sleep pattern.

@jlkz,

This looks so nice! I can see taking a lovely nap here. I love naps and yes take at least one every day. As one of my daughters and I often say-"I love my bed!!"