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I Decided to Stop Napping

Yesterday I took a fairly long nap. I tried to make it a 15 minute "power nap" by setting a timer but I kept resetting it until I gave up and slept for a long time.  I can't stop once I start. Sometimes I'm not even tired.  I just take the nap to get energized the way I've read about.

In case you've never heard of it a power nap is  
"a short sleep taken during the working
 day in order to restore one's mental alertness".

Some articles I've read claim everyone should take a nap to gain great benefits.  It just doesn't work for me. I feel worse. I feel hungover.  But I don't want to miss out on the benefits.
I spent some time looking for an answer. According to what "they say" I was stuck.  I almost gave up until I found two sites which held a different view.


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This first one was a bit too harsh, saying that napping is bad for your health. 

Daytime Napping May Lead to An Early Death; But It's Most Likely A Sign Of Something More Serious"...results may be partly explained by the effects of other undiagnosed health problems or medications..."  from a study by Source: Leng Y, Wainwright N, Khaw K, et al. Daytime Napping and the Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A 13-Year Follow-up of a British Population. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2014. Link: Daytime Napping May Lead to An Early Death; But It's Most Likely A Sign Of Something More Serious

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I finally found a site that made sense for me.

"Genetics could explain why some people are nappers and some aren’t. But regardless of the explanation, there’s clearly a difference between the two groups. “People who aren’t habitual nappers tend to fall into very deep sleep during naps, and waking up from that leaves them feeling groggy,” Mednick explains. On the other hand, natural nappers—you know who you are—don’t plunge into deep slumber during their daytime snoozes, Mednick says. This allows them to wake up from naps feeling energized and alert, not discombobulated.
But if you’re just not a born napper, don’t sweat it. “Everyone’s different,” Mednick says. “If you feel good, whatever you’re doing is fine.”

I'll go with an afternoon tea to get some energy.

Comments

  1. Interesting takes on the topic. I have the napping gene - got it from my dad :)

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    Replies
    1. I wish I could feel refreshed after a short nap.

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  2. I'm a happy napper, while Alex gets the same feelings you do after a nap. I don't like napping because it actually makes me feel lazy. If I nap in the afternoon, I don't want to cook dinner...and I love eating lol...so I try not to nap! If we're having leftovers, I run to bed around 4pm for a few hours though!

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    Replies
    1. I guess I'll just have to stay awake like Alex.

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  3. I'm also a happy napper. I wake up very early in the morning and after lunch, I lie down and read for a bit. Most of the time I fall asleep.

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    Replies
    1. I get up early too and around 2 in the afternoon I need something to keep alert. Caffeine should do it.

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  4. I love my naps. I sleep when I feel like it and am awake when I feel like it. I love being retired....

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  5. A catnap we call it down our way.
    Don't often have one actually can't remember when I last did.
    Many people I know have one.

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes a nap feels so good but if it's too long or not long enough it feels terrible to me. I've decided to give them up on a regular basis.

      Delete
  6. I love napping, but don't feel the need every day. However, I tend to read in the afternoon around 2 or 3, usually around our 'tea time' when we have coffee and a snack... and sometimes fall asleep for 30 minutes or more. Whether I nap or not, I still sleep 6-8 hours at night. Your body should tell you what you need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right. We should listen more to our bodies.

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  7. I think most dogs are natural nappers, never seen them go from dead asleep to running around in mere seconds.

    I'm not a napper, any nap I take is from the exhaustion alone

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    Replies
    1. Dogs look so good napping. Now I'll try to wait until I'm very tired before I take a nap.

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  8. I'm in much need of a nap right now, perhaps I woke up too early.

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  9. I am not a napper, I just don't get tired during the day. I think my walk gives me energy. : )

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    Replies
    1. I'm going to try more exercise for more energy.

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  10. Interesting post.

    I can enjoy a nap!
    I can also enjoy a cup of tea!

    I may just try a short nap followed by a cup of tea!
    Sounds perfect to me!

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete

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