Power napping: Week 1 impressions

Day 1: 2/7/06
I took my first power nap from 2:28pm - 2:48pm - the time seemed to slip by very quickly. At first I thought taking 20 minutes out of my day would feel like forever, but that wasn’t the case. The “nap” was over before it felt like any real time had slipped by.

I took this power nap while seated at my desk chair. On thing that struck me after it was over was how much tension I had been carrying in my shoulders and back. I felt like a lot of it had melted away and I felt much “looser” and less “knotted up.”

I was shocked at how deeply it felt I had gone. I almost felt as if I had actually been asleep for the 20 minutes, but to my knowledge I didn’t actually fall asleep at any time during the power nap.

I did the Pzizz “Energizer nap” with the voice guiding throughout the entire course of the session. While I did notice the voice while relaxing, now that I’ve been “awake” for 4 minutes (2:52pm) I am a bit fuzzy on what was said. It was there, but not in a distracting way. It was very soothing, warm and relaxing.

Update: It’s been an hour since my power nap and I notice that I feel a lot more invigorated this afternoon than usual. It is a placebo effect or a benefit of the power nap? Time will tell.

Day 2: 2/8/06
I took my power nap about an hour earlier than yesterday - I slept poorly last night and had been feeling groggy and a little “off” all morning. After my 20 minutes I felt better, and much more relaxed; it had been a stressful morning.

I came close to actually dozing off this time - I caught myself doing the head-bob that has plagued us all at one point in our life in a deathly boring meeting or class. But the nice thing was that I was able to let myself go and really settle down.

Near the end of my power nap the program brings you back out of your relaxed state and at this time - when the pattern of sounds changed - I felt a wash of energy and “buzzing” flow over me. It was a fairly abrupt switch, I was very near asleep, but I came right up and became alert almost instantly.

Afterwards I felt that “warm-all-over” feeling you get after a really good nap - you’re not 100% back in the real world yet, and you’re still perceiving things through a fuzz of rest and relaxation.

At this point I’m not ready to admit that all of this has been achieved by the Pzizz software program. It’s certainly relaxing and the music program is well scored and pleasant to listen to. Before my trial is over I will perform some control naps without using a Pzizz audio program to see if I achieve the same effect on my own.

I’m still surprised at how quickly the 20 minutes seemed to go by. Normally it feels like I can’t get 20 free minutes at work without some distraction, but during my nap the time just flew by and the building didn’t burn down without me being “in the mix” for 20 minutes.

Day 3: 2/9/06
I was a little later with my power nap today and it wasn’t as easy for me to get into. My mind didn’t want to settle down and I had several projects that I thought would interrupt my relaxation.

I think because of this today’s session was as relaxing as previous sessions. I felt more like I was forcing myself to do it than I wanted to do it. I do feel more refreshed and relaxed now - after my power nap - but it wasn’t as good as the past few days.

I did notice that today my mind wandered significantly more. Maybe it’s because I didn’t feel like I was a “deep” in my relaxation, but I had some extremely non-sequitor ideas ebb and flow throughout my power nap. The odd thing is that at the time they were vividly clear and I can recall thinking, “What an odd idea…” but just moments after my session I can’t clearly recall any of the ideas.

I’m wondering if this is a rare glimpse of my subconscious by my semi-conscious mind? If so, then I think the prudent thing to do is actively work on planting positive suggestions and see if that will lead to more easily (or effortlessly) setting positive habits.

Update: I feel more “fuzzy” this afternoon that I have the last few days. I don’t know if it’s because today’s power nap wasn’t as good - but I definitely notice a difference this afternoon.

Day 4: 2/10/06
I can say that taking 20 minutes out of my day to rest and relax does indeed make a difference in the way I feel. I’ve been so busy today that I didn’t make time to take my nap.

I could have forced the time out of the afternoon, but I let other issues take center stage. This is why making new habits is so difficult for so many people; when the pressure is on the potential to abandon new behaviors for old habits is strong.

In fact, as I sit here and write this I realize I need to go ahead and take my nap - I’m a little cranky and my eyes are stinging a bit. If I don’t make this habit stick, I’ll be upset with myself. I’ll be back in 20 minutes!

Update: Taking a break was just what the doctor ordered. I feel immensely more relaxed and refreshed. I can tell that my breathing is more even and my eyes aren’t stinging at all now.

Day 5: 2/11/06
I’ve been reading some resources on self-hypnosis and autosuggestion.

I’ve decided that I want to enhance my goal-seeking habits through autosuggestion. I have no problem setting goals - I like the energy that’s involved in creating an idea. I tend to stumble in the details of achieving all my goals. I have to constantly remind myself to review my goals.

I’ve found some “scripts” online that detail with autosuggestion for goals, and I’ve modified it for myself. Here is the script I’m going to try out:

I am self-confident and I consistently accomplish my goals. I am surrounded by potential opportunities, and I can accomplish any to which I set my mind.

My only limitation is my imagination and I now let my imagination go free. I am crystal-clear about what I want out of life.

I easily and effortlessly review my goals on a daily basis, and adjust my life as needed to achieve my goals. I stick with my goals until I have achieved them.

I allow only positive and winning thoughts to flow through my mind. I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm and I strive to be an inspiration to others in my life.

I’ve tried to keep my script fairly short so I can spend time reflecting on it without having to much to cram into my mind or memorize.

Update: Keeping my script held in my mind proved more difficult than I thought it would. I felt like I didn’t really keep it focused, but part of the power of autosuggestion and self-hypnosis is that you are programming your subconscious mind - time will tell if this does indeed work.

Since today is a Saturday, it was already going at a more relaxed pace than a normal weekday would for me. So after my nap I felt extremely refreshed. I could have used an extra 20 minutes!

So far I’ve been happy with the results I’ve had over the last five days - forcing myself to take time out of my day exclusively for myself to rest and relax has made me feel much more productive and stress-free during the day.

I’ve been using the Pzizz software program during my power naps - and so far I’ve been happy with the results. But I’m not ready to admit that it’s a must-have piece to getting a refreshing and relaxing power nap experience. I’m going to have to try some control experiments and see if the experience is the same.

Next week I will continue to take power naps during the day, but I will use no audio program and I will use a CD I have of relaxing nature sounds. I’m curious to see if I get the same level of relaxation and refreshment.

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Here are some related articles you might also enjoy!

• Power napping: Day 11 - the caffeine nap
• Power napping: Day 100 - The Benefits
• Power napping: Day 8
• Power napping: Days 9 - 10
• Power napping: 21st century-style.

February 13th, 2006

Entry Filed under: General