How to Power Nap
When a human engages in a period of this light dozing, it’s commonly referred to as taking a “Cat Nap”. Cat Naps used to be considered luxuries that were only taken by the rich, the retired, the elderly, and the indolent people of the world. These short periods of sleep had no place in a modern, production-driven world where multi-tasking is the norm and a twelve-hour work day is common. Until now, that is.
The name has changed, and so has their purpose. These short periods of inactivity and rest that used to be looked upon as a sign of laziness and a lack of energy have now turned into “Power Naps”. And they are now being regarded by many as a necessity in the bustling world we live in. But the word “nap” still has a stigma clinging to it. If you take a nap, then you’re considered unproductive. So many Power Nappers are doing it, but they’re cat napping behind closed doors. Cubicle workers are getting their forty winks by escaping to the rest room, outside to their vehicle, or by inventing secret ways to get a little rest during their work days.
Power Naps aren’t designed to take the place of a regular night’s sleep. Instead, they are meant to complement a full night’s rest. However, they can help sleep-deprived people who are running on nervous energy catch up on some lost rest.
It’s been said that inventor Thomas Edison never went to bed and slept. He existed by taking several naps throughout the day. So, taking Power Naps fit nicely into his busy work schedule. Edison is credited with inventing the lightbulb, the tin foil photograph, and the Kinetoscope, just to mention a few of the more-than-one-thousand patents he obtained during his lifetime. So Power Naps obviously helped fuel Edison’s creativity.
Many companies are slow to catch onto the idea that allowing their employees to nap during the work day can actually increase their productivity. The National Sleep Foundation conducted a survey that found that less than a fifth of all employees are allowed to take a Power Nap on company time. Those companies are undoubtedly airlines and railroads for the most part. Their chaotic round-the-clock schedules would automatically create a dire need for periodic rest times.
One New York company named “Metronaps” has created a business of Power Napping. You can join their club and use their facilities to take your naps at.
A Power Nap usually lasts between fifteen and thirty minutes. Sleep less and you probably won’t feel refreshed. Sleep more than thirty minutes, and you’ll probably wake up feeling groggy and
lethargic instead of alert.
Some champions of these brief periods of rest take their naps at certain times. A popular time is
in the late afternoon when many people start to feel drowsy. While other people take a Power Nap whenever they feel the need to recharge their batteries.
Everyone who takes Power Naps has their own preferences for getting comfortable. Lying down is probably the best position, but you can rejuvenate yourself even if you’re sitting in a chair. You can cross your arms in front of you on your desk and lay your head on your arms. Or, you can sit back in your chair and stretch out a bit.
Whatever location or position you choose, you’ll need to relax and clear your mind. If you’re not sure that you can set your internal clock for a twenty to thirty minute nap, then set an alarm clock instead. Shut out the external sounds you may hear. If you have trouble falling asleep, try counting sheep to clear your mind of your workday pressures.
Once your Power Nap is finished, stretch your body and breathe in and out deeply several times.
Get something to drink and start in working on simple chores such as checking your e-mails, opening the snail mail, or doing some light filing.
In a few minutes, your body and mind should awaken and you should feel refreshed and ready to get back to work and take on the remainder of the day!
