That in my mid-forties, I need naps to get me through the day…
I find that by 3pm, unless I am doing something that requires me to be wide-awake, i.e. driving a car or running a clinic, I am overwhelmed by a wave of tiredness. A soporific tsnami. It’s like this warm blanket settles on me and I cannot function. I get the signal that my brain just needs to stop, it’s quite overwhelming. If I am working from home, I set my alarm and take a short snooze. If I am at work, sometimes I just fall asleep at my desk while trying to do my afternoon admin, it happens, it’s embarrassing!
My body knows when I have had just enough sleep to get me back to full working mode. It’s almost like a fast charge taking from there 🪫 to here 🔋 and I feel so much better for it!
Apparently there are ways to ‘nap well’
Time it right. The best time to sleep is the early afternoon, when your body experiences a natural circadian dip. If you take a nap in the late afternoon or evening, it will likely be harder to fall asleep later.
Keep it short. Abbreviated sleeps, around 20 minutes, may be best to avoid grogginess when you wake up. Shorter naps can also help to prevent you from having trouble falling asleep that evening. Time it right by setting an alarm.
Get comfortable. For a high-quality rest, be sure to find a quiet, cozy spot where you won’t be distracted.
Examine your motivation. If you need to nap during the day, it is important to assess why you may be sleepy enough to fall asleep during the day, especially if you nap regularly. Track how much sleep you are getting at night. If you aren’t getting enough, try to improve your sleep habits (see “Tips for better nighttime sleep”). If you are already getting at least seven or more hours of sleep at night and are still tired during the day, discuss this with your doctor.
Reference: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-your-daily-nap-doing-more-harm-than-good
