Tuesday, March 30, 2010

15 minutes

I don't know about you, but the thought of taking a nap (even a much needed one) right in the middle of what should be my most productive time of the day shoots shivers of guilt up and down my spine. It seems that unless you are pregnant or sick, there isn't an excuse good enough to choose sleep over all the many other things that should be done in the kids' rest time. Really, isn't it true?

But the fact is, the head knowledge that a nap is wasteful doesn't always get rid of that 3:00 I-would-like-nothing-better-than-to-take-a-nap feeling. So what are my options? One, of course, is to simply press on, barrel through, pour the cup of coffee and get on with what I should really be doing. Or I could just take the nap and deal with the guilt later. Those are the obvious two possibilities. But could it be that a 3rd, and possibly even better option is out there?

I remember as a little girl walking into my grandfather's study to find him stretched out on the floor, right in front of the window, taking his 15 minute power nap. I always thought it was funny to think that 15 minutes would do any good, but at the ripe age of 10, what do you expect? Today, however, as I looked up and saw the clock had hit 3:00, I remembered those power naps, and all of the sudden, I understood. I haven't really tried one out, so this theory is firmly in the untested phase of things, but it makes perfect sense. What if I set the timer and laid down on the couch for a guilt-free quarter hours rest? Would it do the trick? My guess is that it absolutely would.

I've wasted my window of opportunity today, but tomorrow? Yes, I think tomorrow I will try it out and see what 15 minutes might do for my afternoon.

7 comments:

Jessica said...

I take a nap several days a week during naptime.

It makes me a better wife and mother to feel well rested so I never feel guilty. If my job is to be the best I can be and a nap helps me accomplish that, I have no shame.

It is better that I can get up and go cheerfully and energetically through the rest of my day than to drag through everything feeling miserable.

Melody said...

It really does do wonders. The trick is getting your brain to shut off just long enough for you to go to sleep. I often times just give up, and go back to getting to chores done : ) But on those rare occasions (like today) where I actually do drift off for a few winks...oh, it is SO wonderful! And when I woke up, I still poured myself a cup of coffee, 'cause a cupcake is just no good all by itself : )

Mel said...

My dad always talked about power naps. I think it is easier for men to fall asleep then women. But even if you don't fall asleep I bet just relaxing and resting will do some good. Let me know how it goes :)

Rachel said...

As of late, I can honestly say that I have felt absolutely guilt-free about my 2 1/2 hour naps each afternoon.... so I guess I don't really have anything valuable to contribute to this conversation. But then again, I have to believe that I'm the reason you put in the "unless you're pregnant or sick" phrase, to give me an out. Don't worry, I wouldn't have felt the guilt even if you hadn't included that, since I've been preg AND sick for the past week! =)

Anna said...

sometimes it is hard to fall asleep - so i usually allow 30 minutes - but even if you only fall asleep for like 10-12, you will feel so much better :D i know i am not a mom buuuut i think it's a great idea :D :D

Cristi said...

Ok take the test and blog the results because I see no point. It think it would take me at least 11 minutes to fall asleep, so that would make it a 4 minute nap. Umm No So let us know.

Penny said...

My grandpa, Poppa Dad, could be found almost every afternoon stretched out on the carpet by his bed. I thought it was funny that your grandpa did the same thing. Yes, post your results. =)