The Zzzz of naps

August 13, 2019
Sleeping Cat with head on a tiny pillow

ZEN TIP TUESDAY #24

Today I welcome Janet Camilleri to ZTT.  Having met via the blogosphere, I’ve known Janet for probably close to seven (7) years now!  She lives within about 30 minutes from me and we’ve met up quite a few times now over the years.  Janet is a blogger and a copywriter and you can read more about her, and find links to where you can connect with her, in her Bio at the end of this post.  Today Janet is sharing with us the benefits of napping!   This post made me smile from the moment I read it and it kind of feels like I now have permission to have an afternoon nap without any of the guilts. Thanks Janet! 😄

If you would like to contribute your very own ‘Gem of Zen’ as part of the Zen Tip Tuesday series please go here to find out how (you might also like to visit all the Gems of Zen we have so far). I would love to hear from you!


Cat naps with head on a tiny pillow

There’s a Reason that Zen starts with Z-z-z-z

I have long been fond of a nanna nap – and I’m not even a nanna yet!

Over the years I’ve been diagnosed with glandular fever, depression, severe anemia, and sleep apnea – all of which could account for my long history of needing an afternoon kip.

But nowadays there’s no excuse – and I still love them.

In fact, I’m a strong believer in the benefits of napping, and not just for pre-schoolers.

Naps make me happy. They make me calmer. They give me more patience to deal with whatever life decides to throw at me. They make me a nicer person.

I love to lie on my bed after lunch, gazing out the window at the trees. I enjoy the sensation of my soft polar fleece blanket, the scent of my clean bed linen, listen to my cat purring beside me. And before I know it my breath slows, and my eyelids grow sore and heavy. I close them and … an hour later I wake refreshed.

To me, it’s about self-care.

I came across a meme not long ago that said:

 

She Believed She Could

But She was Tired

… so she rested and you know what?

The world went on and it was okay.

She knew she could try again tomorrow.

~ The Minds Journal

 

A Nap is Not a Waste of Time!

The husbear on the other hand feels that taking a nap is a waste of time.

While I do understand where he’s coming from – when you’re busy, it can seem counter-productive to take a nap – personally, I find that I work much more efficiently after taking a rest break.

The only time the husbear slows down is when we go away. Recently we bought a motorhome (long story!) and I am loving it, mainly because it is only when we are away that I find that the husbear actually relaxes and TAKES. A. NAP.

If only I could get him to do it at home!

Clearly I was born in the wrong country. I remember some of the ports of call on our Mediterranean cruise a few years back, where everything shuts for siesta after lunch. It was a tad annoying when we were the tourists, in town for only a limited time – but other than that I’m all for it!

Some people find they can’t snooze during the day, and that’s fine. But if you’re tired, and you can, a nap can work wonders.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the word “zen” starts with “z-z-z-z” … 😜


Janet Camilleri Copywriter Brisbane

 

JANET CAMILLERI

Janet Camilleri loves writing for the web. In addition to her work as a Brisbane copywriter, she also blogs as the Middle Aged Mama, about learning to fashion a new life now that her kids are all grown up. No matter what she writes, or who she is writing for, Janet aims to amuse, inspire or inform – and sometimes, all three!

Here’s where you can connect with Janet:

BLOG  |  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  TWITTER  |  PINTEREST

 


 

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48 Comments

  • Reply suzanne vosbikian August 13, 2019 at 8:07 am

    Janet, I am a big fan of naps and always have been. When my daughter was little, 3:00 was the bewitching hour for both of us. I called it quiet time back then, and it was my mid afternoon break to recharge for the evening. I don’t take a full-on nap every day, but I do close my eyes, even for just 15 minutes most days. Glad to know there are other ‘grown-ups’ out there with the same habit.

    • Reply Min August 13, 2019 at 11:06 am

      I’m a fan of naps too Suzanne but I can rarely fall asleep in the day. I still find it revives me to have a lie down and rest my eyes and mind for a while. I remember Mum always wanting us kids to have an afternoon nap which we were not keen on at all. She always said “you don’t have to sleep – just rest and/or read a book”. We generally ended up falling asleep! lol

      • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:15 pm

        Min, the funny thing is I remember my parents insisting the same and I *hated* it … maybe because my bedroom faced west and was always hotter than Hades!!!

    • Reply Janet Camilleri August 14, 2019 at 5:14 pm

      Hi Suzanne! I was very lucky in that both of my children were very good about having a nap after lunch when they were small – often I’d join them 🙂

    • Reply Christie Hawkes August 17, 2019 at 2:12 am

      I used to nap more when I had young children. Now I rarely do, so when I get a nap, it’s a real treat!

  • Reply Kathy Marris August 13, 2019 at 5:40 pm

    I’m not a real big fan of afternoon naps because then I find I can’t sleep at night. However there is the odd occasion where I nap on the sofa during the day when I’ve had a particularly tiring day. My husband on the other hand is the king of day napping! He can nap anywhere at anytime.

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      I can’t go to sleep at night for ages regardless of whether I’ve had a nap or not. I blame it on menopause!!!!

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 12:57 pm

      I don’t like to sleep through the day (unless I’m sick) either Kathy cos I have trouble enough sleeping at night, but I do like to lie down and rest my eyes and mind now and then when I’m feeling tired or overwhelmed. Blokes can always nap anywhere and anytime! lol

  • Reply Lydia C. Lee August 14, 2019 at 6:50 am

    I’m not good with the nap – strong body clock – but when I was pregnant, late in the first trimester, I had to put saturday afternoons aside to have a sleep as I’d be wrecked by the end of the work week….was very beneficial then…#MLSTL

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      Hi Lydia, I remember being really exhausted when I was pregnant, and finding it impossible to stay awake after 8.30pm. We’d sit down to watch a movie or TV and I’d be out like a light!

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 12:59 pm

      Oh my gosh, when I was pregnant I can remember the most overwhelming tiredness. With my first pregnancy (the twins) there were lots of naps. With my 2nd pregnancy a nap was basically impossible as I had the twins keeping me busy. This is why I enjoyed my hospital stay after I had my daughter immensely! 🙂

  • Reply Theresa Muth August 14, 2019 at 7:30 am

    It’s so interesting that right after my nap I headed to this blog and read about the zen of napping! I always feel better after a nap and although it’s hard for me to fit them in, when I do get the time for a nap it’s a bonus to my day! I say keep nappin’ my friend!
    #MSTL

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Thanks Theresa, lovely to meet a fellow fan! I’m fortunate in that I work from home so if I am really struggling I can usually sneak off and catch 40 winks 😉

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:00 pm

      That’s a funny coincidence Theresa! Keep on nappin’!! 🙂

  • Reply Bree August 14, 2019 at 7:50 am

    I too am a huge fan of the afternoon nap due to my chronic illness’s. Growing up in Perth WA my mum would have what she called “forty winks”. This could be 10 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours etc. We had to be quite while mum had these winks. She had to get up early as Dad had 2 jobs. I can remember counting winks and go and tell mum to get up that its been 40 winks lol..sometimes she would get up others I would get told to go and play. He would go to the markets very early then come home for breakfast then off to his second job. Of course Mum got up with him and would have most of her jobs done before he got home for breakfast. Dad would go to bed early to compensate. Anyway I never realized how valuable these winks were until I got sick. #MLSTL

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Sleep is often the best “medicine” for health issues, isn’t it?

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:02 pm

      I’m sorry to hear about your chronic illness’s Bree but very pleased that having ‘naps’ or ‘forty winks’ helps! The story you told about ‘forty winks’ is hilarious. Kids can be so literal and funny! 😄

  • Reply Joanne Tracey August 14, 2019 at 8:16 am

    I’ve never been a napper. My husband can have a power nap and wake refreshed. I slip off to sleep (on the rare occasion that I do give into the desire to nap) and wake feeling as though I have a hangover without the fun part. I envy those who can – nap, that is.

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Joanne you sound like my best friend from high school (we are still in touch today) – she could never understand my nap habit!

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:03 pm

      I’m much the same Jo. I don’t mind a ‘rest’ now and then though (a wee lie down with a book or something) when I’m feeling tired. Even if I only got a few hours sleep the night before, I still can’t sleep in the day. I’ll be in bed early the next night though! 😄

  • Reply Jennifer August 14, 2019 at 8:46 am

    I love naps! 20 to 60 minutes is the perfect time for me. I awake refreshed and ready for more. If I sleep too long though, I might as well go to bed because I’ll be dragging the rest of the day.

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      I’ve heard a few people say that they feel lethargic and almost hungover after a nap. Fortunately I’m not one of them!

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      I often wish I could nap (especially after bad nights with little sleep) but I can’t. I do have a rest though if needed. 😄

  • Reply Natalie August 14, 2019 at 8:50 am

    I rarely nap but when I feel like having a nap, I do it without feeling any guilt. #MLSTL

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:22 pm

      Natalie, I envy you being able to do it without feeling guilty! On the one hand I know that this is just how my body operates. On the other I feel guilty because it seems “lazy” and doesn’t fit with other’s expectations.

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      Good for you Natalie! 😄

  • Reply Debbie Harris August 14, 2019 at 9:27 am

    I rarely nap during the day but if I feel I need it, then I have no problem with it. A fun look at napping, thanks Janet and Min 🙂 #mlstl

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:22 pm

      Thanks Debbie! I’m all for a bit of fun 😉

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:06 pm

      Glad to see you nap guilt free if needed Deb! 😄

  • Reply Erica/Erika August 14, 2019 at 9:30 am

    Thank you Min for introducing Janet to us. The concept of napping as a post also made me smile. I have not been able to nap, although I call it a mini meditation. I like the concept of turning off stimulation in the afternoon. I function much better the rest of the day. It is interesting how we feel we need permission to do this.

    I relate to your words, “make me a nicer person” “refreshed.” A powerful sentence: “A nap is not a waste of time.” I will log this.

    A wonderful post! Thank you:)

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:23 pm

      Thank you Erica!!!! It really is true, and when I do feel a bit guilty I just remind myself of all these things.

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      Thanks Erica/Erika! I can’t nap either but I do rest if I feel I need it … and by saying that I might lie down and close my eyes for a bit or read a book or listen to a guided meditation. Whatever feels right for the circumstances. 😄

  • Reply Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au August 14, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    Hi Janet – lovely to see you over here on Min’s blog. I like the occasional nap too – drifting off is always so pleasant. I don’t tend to nap as often as I’d like (the day just seems to zoom by before I’ve squeezed a nap in!) I’m also finding that living at a slower pace now I’m not working means I need to nap less too. My husband is like yours – he sees it as wasting time too. I’m also intrigued by your motorhome purchase and will have to catch up on your new purchase.
    Min – thanks for linking this up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:27 pm

      That’s interesting that you find you don’t need to nap so much now you’re not working. The motorhome purchase was a bit of a surprise – definitely earlier than expected! We loved travelling Australia in our caravan when our kids were small so knew we would likely get a motorhome or caravan at some stage. A friend needed to sell it urgently and set a price so low we couldn’t refuse. But … a week later we went back and gave him a fair bit more, that’s just how we roll (it was hubby’s idea but I agreed). I haven’t said much on the blog/social media as it feels like I’m boasting. Anyways, it needs some work but we’ve already had one weekend away and LOVED it 🙂 .

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:11 pm

      Hi Leanne – your retirement is showing up many benefits, including less of a need for naps! I wish I could have a little catnap to revive me now and then but my body refuses sleep during the day unless I’m sick. I do have rests though! 😄

  • Reply Donna McNicol August 14, 2019 at 1:00 pm

    My husband is a champion napper, I think it goes along with his need to be able to sleep at the drop of a hat (and wake up immediately) in his firefighter career. Me? Not so much…if I nap, I can’t sleep. Sigh….

    #MLSTL

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Donna, the funny thing is that these days it takes me ages to nod off at night, regardless of whether I’ve had a nap or not. I’m putting it down to menopause …

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      I’m much the same as you Donna! As long as I can get enough sleep at night is the main thing! I often need a nap but can’t but even a little rest is enough to help revive me a bit so I can get through the rest of the day. 😄

  • Reply Jo August 14, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    Oooh, me too, I love a nice afternoon nap. My grandmother was a great believer in napping from 2 – 4pm every day and if we woke her up for any reason it was off with our heads – just about! We were only allowed to wake her at 4pm with a lemon bonbon from her sweetie jar by the bed! When I was pregnant I napped every day, these days I tend to confine it to a weekend indulgence, although I agree, a short nap can be a great power-reviver for the rest of the day. #MLSTL and Pinned

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      I mostly save it for the weekends but working from home, if I do find myself extra tired I can give in to the need to nap if I want 🙂

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      Ahhhh those memories from childhood are gold aren’t they Jo! I remember overwhelming tiredness when I was pregnant and napped a lot when pregnant with the twins. It was much harder to nap with the next pregnancy though as the boys were toddlers and keeping me very busy! I can’t nap now but I do have rests!

  • Reply Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond August 14, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    Hi Janet and Min! I would love to take a Nanna nap sometimes but unfortunately, I’ve never been able to nap. I don’t mind having a relax with a good book though. Thanks for sharing and linking up at #MLSTL and have a great week ladies. x

    • Reply Janet August 14, 2019 at 5:30 pm

      Hey Sue, that’s exactly what my bestie from high school has always said. She’s always thought my nap habit very strange!!!

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:17 pm

      Hi Sue – I’m the same! I can only nap if I’m sick (and very sick at that). The only other time I could nap as an adult was when I was pregnant. I do have rests now though because I’m often tired and sometimes stressed or overwhelmed, and a rest is a good reset and revive even if I don’t sleep! 😄 xo

  • Reply Patricia Doyle August 14, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    Hi Janet and nice to meet you! I’m not a regular napper, but oh, I do enjoy one once in a while. My fav is on a winter day, inside in a spot of sunshine through the window! My challenge with napping mid-day is I often sleep too long and then it’s hard to sleep that night. Although these days I do find myself drifting off if I’m reading or doing a crossword mid-afternoon – that’s a power nap though as I jerk awake when my head tilts! I’ve been blaming it on menopause… but maybe I’ll claim now it’s my zen-time.

    • Reply Min August 15, 2019 at 1:19 pm

      Hi Patricia! I certainly agree with you on the nap on a winters day in a spot of sunshine through the window! I can’t nap but I can rest and that scenario very much appeals to me.

  • Reply Christie Hawkes August 17, 2019 at 2:11 am

    Hello Min and Janet! Janet, I love your description of taking a nap–the feel of the blankets, the view out the window. No wonder you love it so! I don’t often get a nap, but once in awhile on a Sunday afternoon, if I’m tired I will, and it’s delightful. #MLSTL

    • Reply Min August 19, 2019 at 10:21 am

      I love Janet’s descriptions too. It’s basically being mindful and present and noticing the sounds and sights and feels. It can be so comforting! 🙂

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