Here at the pond, some of us sleep more than others do. I, for one, seem to need more sleep than most, so I take naps. Now I don’t mean the kind of nap in which I go lie down in bed. No, I probably wouldn’t sleep – I’d lie there and wish I could fall asleep. But, it being daytime, I would not be able to convince myself that I could sleep in bed during the day! I might “miss” something.
No, a nap is best taken in the living room with the recliner opened out all the way, legs propped with a pillow, lumbar support in place, “dogbone” pillow diagonally under shoulders and sticking up over the left shoulder, head turned slightly to the left. One (or more) of the cats immediately leaps up onto my lap, and begins to “vibrate.” If I am chilly, I pull my DD-made fleece blanket onto my lap. Thus prepared, the nap begins.
Light noise is important. Perhaps it will be Ancient Faith Radio on the laptop nearby, or a couple of CDs in the player set to repeat ad infinitum. Not too loud, not too low. Too low and I will strain to listen and not sleep. Too loud, and I won’t be able to get to sleep.
Leave the table lamp on, but turn head away from it. Not too dark, not too light. OK. All is well. Oops! put phone on my chest so I can answer without truly waking up – unless it’s a business call. Then I will wake up immediately and focus. The thing about napping in the chair is, I’m still “out” where “things are going on.” So I won’t “miss” anything.
I take about 2 naps a day. The first early in the morning, starting somewhere between 6 and 7, and lasting until about 8 or 9 (except on “swim days”). The other one in the afternoon somewhere around 2 or 3 and lasting until about 3 or 4. Just an hour or two.
It’s amazing what these naps do for me! With the inflammation from the arthritis and the pain associated with the arthritis and the fibro, these short rests rejuvenate me. After a little nap, I can get more work done and my mind is much sharper than if I do not take a nap.
It’s almost time to nap. Now you know how I do it!
Leave a comment