Some people have no nap-shame.

They are excellent at taking naps, and gift themselves whenever they feel the need if they can. For instance, my father-in-law was a pro at it. He could fall asleep just about anywhere just about any time, especially, back in the day, when his wife was shopping and he was chauffeuring.

One day he took her to K-Mart and decided just to wait for her in the car at the curb, since she said wouldn’t be long. In short order he was snoozin’ away.

Until he heard a tap-tap-tap on his car window.

It was a police officer, informing him of his illegal parking and maybe illegal napping.

He probably got a good ten-minutes of sleep in, though, which according to some sources can be rejuvenating–for Arthur, enough to get him to the next store.

Like I said, he was great at it.

Others of us, though, feel a little embarrassed about taking a nap, ashamed of not being able to make it through the day without getting a little droopy.

But, says writer Lisa Belkin, many studies show that short periods of sleep during the day increase productivity and creativity while reducing stress. And even without surveys, we know this from experience. 

When you need a nap, you need a nap. Nothing — not caffeine, not a chocolate bar, not a pill — recharges the battery in the same way.

Here’s your permission—actually you encouragement—to go ahead and take that snooze…with joy!

NOTES:

Belkin, Lisa. “Some Respect, Please, for the Afternoon Nap.” New York Times, Feb. 25,   2007. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/25/business/yourmoney/25wcol.html

Cooper, Belle Beth. “How Naps Affect Your Brain and Why You Should Take One Every Day.” Buffer Blog, July 23, 2013. https://buffer.com/resources/how-naps-affect-your-brain-and-why-you-should-have-one-every-day/

McKay, Brett and Kate. “The Napping Habits of 8 Famous Men.” The Art of Manliness, August 30, 2021. https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/habits/the-napping-habits-of-8-famous-men/