Stop Nap Shaming
I’d like to talk about something that doesn’t get a lot of action – sleep. I’m particularly interested in the art of napping these days. What makes these days different from those days? I’m not quite sure, other than the fact that these days I’m tired. Maybe it’s the heat of summer or my workout regimen, or the constant barrage of awful news?
I don’t know what it is, but to be honest, Mama needs a nap.
Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes the hardships of life can wear you down. Don’t get me started about all the nap shamers out there. The people who roll their eyes when they hear of someone getting a good ten-minute rest. The people who make snide comments like, “I gave up naps when I was 3.”
I’m a fan of the rapper Eminem. One of his songs, “Not Afraid,” sings about taking a stand, and I’d like to take a stand on lying down. In Eminem’s chorus, he sings:
I’m not afraid (I’m not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
Everybody (everybody)
Come take my hand (come take my hand) “Not Afraid”
Let’s stand together for naps!
Eminem’s chorus goes on to say:
We’ll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just lettin’ you know that you’re not alone
Holla if you feel like you’ve been down the same road “Not Afraid”
I’m here to “holla” that most days I take a nap, and here’s why you should too.
Naps help you reset your nervous system.
When a stressful day starts getting the best of you, a good 10 or 15-minute snooze will help calm you down. Set aside 10 or 15 minutes out of your lunch break, put on your shades, and pull your hat down. Rest sitting if you can’t lie down. Just rest.
Naps help you refresh your mind and body.
When I’m working on a project, it’s easy to get stuck. If I close my eyes and focus on my breathing for a while and fall asleep, often twenty minutes later I’m back on task with a fresh perspective. If you are afraid you’ll sleep past twenty minutes, set the alarm on your phone.
Naps help to refuel your mind and body.
Have you ever had those days when you’re so tired, and that extra cup of coffee only serves to make you twitchy yet still tired? Try taking a 45-minute nap. You’ll be amazed at how energized you feel when you wake up.
Don’t be afraid! It’s OK to take a nap when you need it. You’re not alone. Go on, close your office door, put your sweater on the desk in front of you to use as your pillow, set the timer on your phone, and get some much-needed rest.
If you’d like to hear the rest of Eminem’s song, click here. It probably won’t help you fall asleep for your nap, it does contain explicit lyrics, but it may help you find the courage to nap when you need to rest.
Life isn’t always easy. When you’re tired, go take a nap!
