Power napping: Days 9 - 10
Yesterday I had the opportunity to lie down in a comfortable place while taking my nap. Let me forewarn you that unless you have immensely strong will power, this might not be the best idea.
I got comfortable, set a timer for 20 minutes and stretched out, ready to relax. Within minutes I was sound asleep and instead of power napping for 20 minutes, I slept for an hour and twenty minutes! I didn’t hear the timer I set, and finally was awake enough to look at my wrist watch and realize how long I had been out. I felt groggy and “thick headed” because it was too long of a nap.
So a word of caution if you’re power napping; don’t get to comfortable and fall completely asleep. If you’re not careful you’ll end up oversleeping and groggy at the end.
Today was much better - again I didn’t use any music of other aids to take power nap. I’ve found that after a day or two of it taking me longer to get settled down and relaxed, I so far feel like I get a deeper nap when I don’t use any music of the Pzizz software. Today I even noticed some hypnagogic images float through my mind. You can experience hypnagogic images and sounds when you’re right on the edge between being awake and being asleep. They’re sort of a dream you have while you’re awake.
I don’t really recall any specific details, but I realized that I wasn’t asleep and I was dreaming. It was a very surreal experience, not unlike a lucid dream.
I feel much more refreshed this afternoon.
So far power napping is getting two big thumbs up from me. I don’t feel like I’m quite as cranky and crabby in the afternoons because I’m more relaxed. Taking a 20 minute break in the middle of the day for “me time” has also a great stress reliever as well.
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February 16th, 2006
Entry Filed under: Time Management, Productivity, Improvement, Habits
1 Comment Add your own
1. Brad Isaac | February 17th, 2006 at 9:38 am
Power napping is the way to go. For many years during college and early career work, I always took a 15-20 minute nap every day for the boost in energy and attitude it gave me. I got away from it for maybe 10 years and have recently taken it back up. It makes such a difference!
BTW, I posted recently about a “caffeine nap” which is you drink a cup of coffee and then doze for 15 minutes. I don’t recommend it every day but when you have to perform extra well, it’s another good idea.
Pleasant dreams!
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