My mother used to tell me that as a child I "fought sleep" - particularly daytime naps. Apparently I was a hyper child and didn't see it necessary to shorten my fun filled childhood days with such wasteful activities as napping. As a teenager who was no longer required to take a nap, and rewarded with a later curfew, I realized that I was indeed a "night owl" who would rather party with my friends until the wee hours of the morning than curl up in bed and cut out the lights at nine o'clock. (If I was caught "napping" during the day, it was usually because I had a slight hangover from the night before!) Of course when you're younger, your body is a well oiled machine, and like the Energizer Bunny, can go for days with just the bare minimum of sleep. Not so much when you get older!

Now as an adult, naps are not only a welcomed LUXURY in my life, they are usually REQUIRED if I am to continue the hectic pace of my busy and often stress-filled days! However, I still have a tendency to fight sleep -even when I want it the most! Between a full work day and catching up on leftover chores from the week before, I seldom have TIME for a good night's sleep - much less an afternoon nap! But oh, when the rare opportunity arises, don't think for one minute that I don't take advantage of it!

The secret to a good nap is finding a good time! Obviously, the best time to take a nap is when you CAN. But my favorite nap time during the week is mid afternoon between 3- 4 o'clock. It's that time of day when I've ALMOST completed my daily workload, yet still have time left before my "second shift" evening duties start. For some women, that usually means cooking dinner, helping the kids with their homework, or throwing a load of laundry in the washing machine. For me, it means a much needed break from blinding hours staring at a computer screen, or talking with clients on the phone. It also gives my Sjogren's Syndrome distressed body a chance to heal and restore itself. 

Weekend naps are especially nice, as you can make them as short or long as you want depending on your weekend activities. Since I'm usually too busy with housework or social activities on Saturday,  I like to squeeze in a nap on a quiet Sunday afternoon nap, followed by a romantic Hallmark movie. My husband knows and respects the fact that this is my "me time", and entertains himself with mindless sports shows on TV in the other room. It's especially nice, too, if its raining or cold outside and I've got the heady aroma of a pot of homemade soup wafting through the house! 

Where you take a nap is just as important as when. My bedroom is my "inner sanctuary" and most times the only place I can truly relax, unwind and nap. I draw the thick black out curtains to make the room darker, fluff up my favorite pillows, and nestle under my lightweight faux fur throw to insure a restful and peaceful naptime. And while some may prefer the static noise of a TV playing in the background, I prefer complete quiet so I can rest my mind as well as my body. And usually, my faithful dog, Bubba, is quietly curled up around my feet, giving me a "footstool of security" while I nap.

Napping is indeed a luxury in these stress filled, hectic lives we lead, but the benefits are even MORE priceless! According to an article on Web MD, a short nap in the mid-afternoon can boost memory, improve job performance, prevent high blood pressure, lift your mood, make you more alert, and ease stress! What better reasons do you need to catch a couple of zzz's in the afternoon? Just make sure you don't OVER NAP! Commonly called "power naps", the ideal nap time is less than an hour, and generally earlier in the afternoon between 2-3pm. A longer nap, and one later in the day, could interrupt your nightly sleep schedule and leave you feeling groggy and unrested the next day! Power naps are designed to give you that extra "push" when you're overtired, and get you through the rest of your day.

I may not get to nap EVERY day, but more and more, I'm learning how to "schedule" a nap into my daily itinerary just like any other important appointment. When I do indulge in a power nap, I find I feel better, am less stressed, and more productive. And the best part is I don't fight it anymore!