It’s Sunday and I am facing hours of obligations. I dither about, rearranging stacks of paper and pouring another glass of water because my previous glass of water is no longer cold enough. After approximately 20 minutes of relatively useless activity, I sit down at my computer, ready to start eliminating items from my To-Do list.

And then it hits me. I am tired. I cannot possibly be productive if I am the least bit tired,
I think. I ought to take a nap.

Naps are one of my all-time favorite activities. It is an equal opportunity activity: everyone can participate, whether old or young, large or small. Naps are infinitely customizable, coming in all shapes and sizes, and serving myriad purposes.

In an effort to promote one of my favorite diversions past-times, below is a list of some of the countless variations of naps that I have personally experienced. This list is not meant to be exhaustive (although that might help promote my cause), or the last word on napping, but instead, I hope that perhaps one of these might inspire you to nod off, catch a few winks, snooze, rest your eyes, visit the land of nod, count a few sheep (but not too many), take a siesta, catnap or grab a book, close your eyes and pretend to read.

1. The 20 Minute Power Nap

I start with the 20 Minute Power Nap because it’s my least favorite of all napping varieties. It tends to leave me frustrated and unrested — the complete opposite outcome of a good nap! I just can’t wrap my head around why I would possibly want to take a nap for less than half an hour. I’m getting worked up just thinking about this. 20-minute naps are great in theory, but no one will be able to convince me of their usefulness. If I only have 20 minutes, I’ll drink a coffee. I’m moving on.

2. The 60 Minute Standard

The 60 Minute Standard is the pepperoni pizza of naps, the cheeseburger of naps, the US Postal Service of naps. There is nothing flashy about it, but it always delivers. I always awake from an hour nap refreshed, rested and with a much better outlook on life. That To-Do list? Still there! But it’ll get done. Or not! The hour nap delivers just enough glorious unconscious me-time that everything in the world becomes possible. Or, as in the case of solving world hunger or deciding on the appropriate Christmas present for my parents, at least I have a more balanced perspective on the whole ordeal.

3. The “It’s Cold/Rainy/Snowy Outside And All I Want To Do Is Stay Inside” Nap

This nap is one of my personal favorites, especially because it is typically unplanned. On days that prompt the ICRSOAAIWTDISI Nap, I usually start with the good intentions of “reading a book” or “watching a movie” or “playing hide and go seek and deciding to hide under the covers of my bed,” but all of these lofty goals always end up the same. These naps also have some of the most varied and interesting locations because you tend to drop-off in unplanned locations such as at a desk, in a chair or on the floor.

4. The “I’m In A Beam of Sunlight And All Is Right With The World” Nap

Taking a page from dogs and cats everywhere, sometimes a spot of sunlight emits such strong nap pheromones that I have been known to literally collapse. Sunbeams make great napping locations, especially when accompanied by a pillow and really thick carpet.

5. The “Two Hours or Over, I Need to Recover From My Nap With Another Nap” Nap

This is my all time favorite type of nap. Ideally this nap combines elements from some of the other naps; maybe you find a spot of sunshine, maybe the weather is really gross. Whatever the reason, this nap is all business. With a minimum duration of two hours, you are seriously risking altering your nightly sleep-cycle, so the meek need not apply. You know you have accomplished this nap variation when you wake up, have no idea when, where or who you are, and can only manage enough energy to move to another potential nap location.

Regardless of the location and duration, naps are easily one of my Top Five Favorite Activities. Life is a little sweeter with a nap and I am a little bit nicer with a nap. My opinion: We made a big mistake at the beginning of Kindergarten. Nap time should be a daily occurrence.

2 Responses to “Nap time”

1. Amy Says:
   November 18th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

   Just ask the Bailey House Girls–I am THE QUEEN of naps. My day is not complete without one. Glad someone else appreciates them as much as I do!

2. Lauran Says:
   November 18th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

   Well said. I hated naps as a kid but now I’m quite fond of them.

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