I’m trying something new here with my first ever Substack thread 🧵 This is YOUR invitation to share your thoughts and comments on the subject of… naps! 😴
Why? Well, we’re still in Stress Awareness Month and research suggests that a daytime nap can reduce stress, as well as boost mood, memory and alertness. (With the ideal nap lasting 20-30 minutes max.) While this recent study from UCL found that habitual daytime naps may help to preserve brain health.
I sometimes joke that restorative yoga can look a bit like adult nap time and I’m personally a fan of the 20 minute savasana which I wrote all about here and in my savasana series here on Substack.
With this in mind I would love to know:
What are your thoughts on napping?
Are you a fan - yay or nay?
If you do nap how do you incorporate naps into your routine?
If you’d love to nap but can’t, what barriers are you facing?
Let’s have a conversation, share tips and learn more together 🤓
How I could wax lyrical on this subject, Paula! Thanks for the question. I'm not just a fan of daytime naps, I *need* them. Not every day, but some days I wouldn't be able to function without.
You might be proud of me for Friday. As I was about to arrive at a group gathering a friends ahead of a wedding the next day, I actually messaged the group to say I'd be going upstairs for a nap immediately upon arrival. I was drained from travelling and in my shell-like state I was not ready for the intense socialising. I did get a couple of 😂 emojis in return, but other than that no one batted an eyelid. I arrived, said I quick hi and went straight up for my nap. (I often listen to the Nap Meditations podcast to help) and then was restored and ready for hours of non-stop chatting. I'm very lucky to have friends that support my need for naps!
That is absolutely fantastic, Janelle! 😀 I love this so much ❤️ And it sounds like you have amazing friends too!✨ I hope you had a brilliant time at the wedding. Thanks for sharing and hooray for naps!
It's all about the 20 min Savasana I know you're a firm fan off! I often quote Judith Lasater's recommendation of everyone doing 1 Restorative posture for 20 mins everyday to keep that nervous system balanced🙏🏾
I LOVE to take a Restorative posture in between classes or post class depending on schedule, 20 mins more likely 30 mins is a perfect reset to my day, feeling refreshed rested and offering. clarity.
I need to read your gem of a book again as so much resonates, hearing you mention growing up with rest not encouraged or seen as lazy reminds me of growing up in Caribbean households where "you had to find something to do" and rest was not it! :)
So a massive YES to naps/Restorative postures, thanks for asking & loving Thread! 💜
Ah yes, 20 to 30 minutes is definitely the sweet spot! Taking the time makes such a positive difference. And a restorative posture between classes is great! Thanks Yvonne 💜🙏🏾
I find it difficult to nap unless I am ill or jet lagged, but I’ve learned the importance of rest generally from you and Tricia Hersey (the Nap Ministry). Rest as resistance: the body as a site of liberation ✊🏾
Thanks Deborah! ✨🙏🏾 Yes, rest matters and it is a practice. It’s certainly a practice I’ve had to learn and it’s involved letting go of a lot of guilt over the idea of rest.
Naps have been one of the most healing things for me, I think it’s the act of allowing yourself to rest when typically we’re not told to/ it’s not encouraged. I’ve let the practice slip a bit and I’d like to get back into it, so I’m seeing this as my sign to nap more 😌
I totally agree, Jodie. I grew up feeling that napping (and resting in general) was not allowed or was lazy. It took years to unlearn that narrative. I too let the practice slip a bit earlier this year (even though I know better!) and I feel much better now that I’ve returned to it. I’m glad if this has been a sign for you to return to napping 😊✨
Thanks for sharing this, Paula. You have just made something click that my Mum was/is a napping role model! I think she also can't function without them, so I witnessed her resting/having naps often (in addition to doing 99% of all housework, life admin, childcare, helping others and generally serving!) I'm sure this has helped with permission. Although I've still had to work on the guilt element, especially around napping during a working from home day. This seems extremely "naughty" and like a form of skiving. But there have been days when a short nap was the only way I could continue with the working day.
How wonderful to have this modelled by your Mum! I relate to the guilt element. I’ve learned that napping and resting in general becomes even more important when I have lots going on - good or bad - in my life.
Hi Paula! While I support napping for others, it doesn't work for me. I find it nearly impossible to relax during the day...and often struggle with sleeping through the night so like being tuckered out by then. Even when my body is tired, my mind has a mind of its own!
I love napping. I've done it most of my life. I can remember getting home from Uni and having a nap before heading out again. Catching a few zzz's when my babies slept (first one didn't sleep much so it was vital to nap for my survival). If I know I'm going to have a late night I'll often have a nap beforehand so I don't nee to go home to bed at 10pm. Twenty minutes is great. Sometimes I'll even do a nap meditation on my favourite app, Balance. Hooray for naps!
Yes to naps! It’s great that you’ve been doing this for most of your life, Lisa! 😀 It’s definitely something I’ve had to learn in adulthood. I have friends who did the same when their babies slept and found it essential too. I’ve not tried the Balance app but I do like a guided meditation and yoga nidras ✨ (Though I usually guide myself nowadays.)
How I could wax lyrical on this subject, Paula! Thanks for the question. I'm not just a fan of daytime naps, I *need* them. Not every day, but some days I wouldn't be able to function without.
You might be proud of me for Friday. As I was about to arrive at a group gathering a friends ahead of a wedding the next day, I actually messaged the group to say I'd be going upstairs for a nap immediately upon arrival. I was drained from travelling and in my shell-like state I was not ready for the intense socialising. I did get a couple of 😂 emojis in return, but other than that no one batted an eyelid. I arrived, said I quick hi and went straight up for my nap. (I often listen to the Nap Meditations podcast to help) and then was restored and ready for hours of non-stop chatting. I'm very lucky to have friends that support my need for naps!
That is absolutely fantastic, Janelle! 😀 I love this so much ❤️ And it sounds like you have amazing friends too!✨ I hope you had a brilliant time at the wedding. Thanks for sharing and hooray for naps!
Great question Paula!!
It's all about the 20 min Savasana I know you're a firm fan off! I often quote Judith Lasater's recommendation of everyone doing 1 Restorative posture for 20 mins everyday to keep that nervous system balanced🙏🏾
I LOVE to take a Restorative posture in between classes or post class depending on schedule, 20 mins more likely 30 mins is a perfect reset to my day, feeling refreshed rested and offering. clarity.
I need to read your gem of a book again as so much resonates, hearing you mention growing up with rest not encouraged or seen as lazy reminds me of growing up in Caribbean households where "you had to find something to do" and rest was not it! :)
So a massive YES to naps/Restorative postures, thanks for asking & loving Thread! 💜
Ah yes, 20 to 30 minutes is definitely the sweet spot! Taking the time makes such a positive difference. And a restorative posture between classes is great! Thanks Yvonne 💜🙏🏾
I find it difficult to nap unless I am ill or jet lagged, but I’ve learned the importance of rest generally from you and Tricia Hersey (the Nap Ministry). Rest as resistance: the body as a site of liberation ✊🏾
Thanks Deborah! ✨🙏🏾 Yes, rest matters and it is a practice. It’s certainly a practice I’ve had to learn and it’s involved letting go of a lot of guilt over the idea of rest.
Naps have been one of the most healing things for me, I think it’s the act of allowing yourself to rest when typically we’re not told to/ it’s not encouraged. I’ve let the practice slip a bit and I’d like to get back into it, so I’m seeing this as my sign to nap more 😌
I totally agree, Jodie. I grew up feeling that napping (and resting in general) was not allowed or was lazy. It took years to unlearn that narrative. I too let the practice slip a bit earlier this year (even though I know better!) and I feel much better now that I’ve returned to it. I’m glad if this has been a sign for you to return to napping 😊✨
Thanks for sharing this, Paula. You have just made something click that my Mum was/is a napping role model! I think she also can't function without them, so I witnessed her resting/having naps often (in addition to doing 99% of all housework, life admin, childcare, helping others and generally serving!) I'm sure this has helped with permission. Although I've still had to work on the guilt element, especially around napping during a working from home day. This seems extremely "naughty" and like a form of skiving. But there have been days when a short nap was the only way I could continue with the working day.
How wonderful to have this modelled by your Mum! I relate to the guilt element. I’ve learned that napping and resting in general becomes even more important when I have lots going on - good or bad - in my life.
I adore naps, but don't do them as often as I'd like! As far as routine goes, they're normally spontaneous! 😊
Hi Debs! I like a spontaneous nap too 😊
Hi Paula! While I support napping for others, it doesn't work for me. I find it nearly impossible to relax during the day...and often struggle with sleeping through the night so like being tuckered out by then. Even when my body is tired, my mind has a mind of its own!
Thanks Dana! Are there any practices you find helpful for those times when you struggle to sleep through the night or when your mind is very active?
I meditate each night after dinner...then crawl into bed with a novel. That helps!
That sounds great 😊 I like a meditation too or a yoga nidra. Sometimes I’ll do a chapter of an audiobook as well.
I do like a nana nap sometimes
Same 😊 I think they can be helpful in midlife.
I love napping. I've done it most of my life. I can remember getting home from Uni and having a nap before heading out again. Catching a few zzz's when my babies slept (first one didn't sleep much so it was vital to nap for my survival). If I know I'm going to have a late night I'll often have a nap beforehand so I don't nee to go home to bed at 10pm. Twenty minutes is great. Sometimes I'll even do a nap meditation on my favourite app, Balance. Hooray for naps!
Yes to naps! It’s great that you’ve been doing this for most of your life, Lisa! 😀 It’s definitely something I’ve had to learn in adulthood. I have friends who did the same when their babies slept and found it essential too. I’ve not tried the Balance app but I do like a guided meditation and yoga nidras ✨ (Though I usually guide myself nowadays.)
Balance has guided meditations too. And I had a longer than normal nap today 😅 I must have been tired!!
I have been known to nap. But, my 6 dogs spend most of their time napping. Mind you it's about 38 deg today.
Ah, pets can be excellent teachers when in comes to napping! 😊