The More Naps I Take…

“The more naps I take, the more money I make. “ – Sark

One of the residual gifts of being pregnant was learning to nap. I became an aficionado of power napping in a variety of different and sometimes awkward places – under desks, behind closed doors, in cars, sitting on the floor propped up against a wall, and the always precarious – leaning on my elbows in a bathroom stall. After 20-30 minutes I was reinvigorated.

What surprises me is how resistant some people are to the idea of taking a nap. Despite the growing gobs of research to support the health benefits of a mid day snooze there is still a fair amount of shame attached.

Before 40 we have all the energy we’re born with. After 40, we have all the energy we go and get. – Chinese proverb

When I tell people I take a nap almost every day, some look at me like I’ve got a big L (for loser) tattooed in the middle of my forehead. For many it implies weakness. Not many self-respecting managers would be caught dead taking a nap in the middle of the day. It would be political suicide in many business environments.

Guess what? Taking naps will make you more creative and generate more ideas. You will experience more enjoyment in what you are doing and have longer periods of calm productivity during the day. Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Thomas Edison all took naps. Not exactly a group of slackers, now are they?

Practice

Take a nap. Lie down somewhere you are not likely to be interrupted. I do this after lunch. Set an alarm if your time is restricted. Silence your cell phone. To shift gears from whatever activity you’ve just been engaged in, pay attention to your breathing – follow the inhale and the exhale until you’re calm and relaxed. If your mind is really busy imagine each thought filling up a balloon and then let it go. The first 5-10 minutes are often more of a meditation. Even if you can’t fall asleep, lie down and slow down at least once during the day – it’s good for your internal organs. As you go through the rest of your day, notice how you feel, think and relate to people.

Bonus suggestion for the brave at heart: Post a sign on your office door. “Energy restoration in progress. Please come back later.”

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