Take a Snooze Cruise

The power of a good nap is undeniable.

by Martha Wegner

Here is one my most vivid childhood memories: every afternoon after my sisters and I had eaten our lunch and cleared the table, my mother would quietly and matter-of-factly state, “I’m going upstairs to close my eyes.” It was understood that during this period we children were not to bother her, although I’m sure we did. The few times I did venture upstairs I found that her bedroom door was opened a crack, and she was lying on her back, and indeed, she was closing her eyes. I never understood why her eyes needed a rest; I thought that perhaps she was just so busy watching my four sisters and me that by afternoon her eyeballs declared a “time-out.”

Now that I am older and wiser with two children of my own, I understand the wisdom of her ways. My mom was doing what I have started doing on the sly for the past year. She was taking a nap.

Like mother, like daughter

Yes, I have adopted my mom’s ways. Every afternoon, I lie down and “close my eyes,” otherwise known as taking a nap. It’s not long, but it is nice and refreshing. Problem is, I feel guilty.  After all, who besides babies, old people and very lazy do-nothings need to take a midday nap?

I am happy to say I now have scientific support for my snooze, and so do you. If you feel the mid-afternoon slump and have been fighting the urge to doze, you now have permission to lay your head down for a little shut-eye.

The benefits of a good nap

According to Sara D. Mednick, author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life (Workman Publishing, 2006), our biological clock, more scientifically known as our “circadian rhythm,” is programmed for long sleep during the night and short sleep during the day. Dr. Mednick offers a list of 20 reasons to nap, all backed by scientific research. These include increased alertness, better physical health, and improved memory and creativity.

Finding the time

Dr. James Maas, author of Power Sleep: the Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance (Villard Books, 1998), suggests that a good, rejuvenating nap need only last 15-30 minutes. And where to find those precious minutes?  As Dr. Mednick points out: “If you spend 20 minutes or more at Starbucks getting an afternoon mocha latté, couldn't you just stay where you are and take a nap instead?”

Sleeping on the job

For those of us with a nine-to-five job, Dr. Maas believes we can still shut the door and get a little snooze. If you’ve got a couch, use it! If not, lying back in a chair with your feet up is the next best way. Or you can just sit at your desk and put your head down for a few minutes’ rest.

Go ahead and sleep

Sound good to you? Believe my mother and believe me, it really does feel great. Says Dr. Maas: “Napping should not be frowned upon or make you feel guilty It should have the status of daily exercise.” Try it, and see if you don’t agree.

Martha Wegner is a freelance writer who lives with her husband and two children in St. Paul, Minn. See more of her articles and essays at www.marthawegner.us.