Who doesn’t appreciate napping? My 18-month-old grandson sure does! I know I do. It may even be my new, preferred retirement hobby!
Napping. Nap. Cat nap. Bat nap. Strategic nap. Dirt nap. There is a lot to learn and love about napping. Before we dive into some of it, let’s start with something simple. Where does the word “nap” even come from?
Where does the word Nap (napping) Come from?
The entomology of the word nap can be a bit sketchy. Several cultures lay claim to the word. “Old English” and very “old west German” came up with very similar words at virtually the same time. Middle English: nappen. Old English: hnappian. Proto-West Germanic hnappōn. All of them refer to a short period of sleep or slumber, generally during the day. Just like now!
Back in the 1800s, someone noticed that cats seemed to snooze in short bursts…who’s kidding who, they nap all day long. That’s how we got “cat nap“. And while the word nap is credited to either the English or the Germans; the Egyptians lay claim to the origin of the napping behaviour. Cats were sacred in Ancient Egypt. It is believed that the pharaohs started emulating their behaviour…cat naps ( short periods of slumber during the day).
The “bat nap” is considered “urban slang”; and according to the source of all knowledge (Google, obviously), it means sleeping all afternoon…like a vampire. It may or may not be a vampire thing. But it’s totally a teenage thing!
The US Military, and others, recognize the value of “strategic napping“. They have learned that since personnel never know when a full night’s sleep is coming. They now encourage grabbing a short, restorative sleep session whenever it’s operationally feasible.
The longest form of napping is of course the “dirt nap.” It’s also the most permanent form of napping. And since I’m “of a certain vintage”, we’ll just skip over that one! Moving on!
The Pros and Cons of Napping
Pro: Naps are quick and simple. You can catch a few zzzzzz’s in any comfortable spot. You shouldn’t need to make the bed when you’re done.
Con: Sleep inertia. That groggy feeling after you wake up. It can be disorienting. And has been known to cause falls.
Pro:
- Relaxation
- Reduced fatigue
- Increased alertness and improve our consistency
- Improved mood
- Improved performance, including quicker reaction time and better memory
- FYI, studies have proven that a nap after learning improves our retention of those facts. When we are asleep our brain is better able to make connections and cement the knowledge.
Con: Nighttime sleep disturbances. Extended or multiple naps during the day can interrupt your normal sleeping patterns.
Pro: Recognizing a sudden need for more frequent naps is a wake-up call (pun intended) that it’s time to see your doctor. It might be an early warning signal of a potentially larger problem. Experts say that excess daytime tiredness is on the rise by 10 – 20% and could be from things like these:
- Insomnia
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Narcolepsy
- Interrupted nighttime sleep (menopause, trips to the bathroom, sleep apnea)
- Obesity, Diabetes
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Excess caffeine
- Excess alcohol
- Conflict with a new medication
If you’re concerned about a sudden increase in your daytime naps, see your family doctor…avoid the dirt nap!
How Long Should I Nap?
Keep Your Naps Short. Twenty to thirty minutes is considered ideal for the non-sleep deprived or the non-teenage. Longer naps tend to cause drowsiness. You can set the alarm on your smartphone or any of those cool tech gizmos. Personally, I drink a large glass of water. The urge to pee wakes me up, as it does most other adults. Others recommend a cup of coffee. It takes caffeine 20-30 minutes to make its way into your bloodstream. Then BAM, it wakes you up. You’re both rested and wired, so you’re good to go. Win-win!
When Should You Nap? Ideally between lunch and 3 pm. Napping after 3 pm tends to mess with both your circadian and diurnal rhythms. Say what? Circadian rhythms are your body’s natural biologic rhythms (cyclic bodily changes in chemicals or functions) that happen approximately every 24 hours. Diurnal rhythms are your body’s natural biologic changes in chemicals or functions that are synchronized with the day/night cycle.
The sweet spot for keeping both rhythms in sync appears to be mid-afternoon.
Best Places for Napping
Naps For Adrenalin Junkies
First, there’s probably no such thing as a bad place for a nap. Unless of course, it’s physically unsafe. This doesn’t actually strike me as safe, but apparently, some people find it quite restful.
And it definitely doesn’t strike me as relaxing.
Red Bull is for adrenalin junkies and even they need naps. So I’ve included author Evan David’s article on the subject.
I Have Simple Napping Needs
My nap requirements are pretty simple. It needs to be someplace soft, horizontal, and cool. Then, as long as my feet are warm, I’m out like a light. Winter in Ontario means I have the fireplace going after lunch, the house is still cool, but the heat can be felt from the burning logs. It’s all very Hygge and relaxing. Truthfully, I could just hibernate!
In the spirit of offering you “everything you need to know about napping” I went to some experts to find some of the “best places”. I have the pleasure of knowing some really great travel bloggers. So I did my own informal poll amongst them. Let’s take a look at the feedback they provided.
Napping Locales Recommended By Travel Experts
Steve at mapsovercoffee.com says that even though he isn’t retired, he is “a nap aficionado”. One of his favourite spots to nap, “was on the bank of the Arkansas River in southern Colorado. There’s a spot to stop for lunch before heading into the Royal Gorge. There is no better power nap than right after a morning blood pumping rapids, a belly full of burgers, and the sound of the river below.”
I wouldn’t dream of arguing with Steve! And I’d need a nap after climbing up from there, let alone riding the rapids.
Mariana at roadtripeuroguide.com recommends right “after a big Italian lunch in Sicily!” You can find some of her hidden gems in her article, “21 hidden gems in Italy: little spots off the beaten path.
I’ve never been to Sicily. But I envision myself in a food coma if I was ever lucky enough to get there.
My friend Emily Nancolas, who sails around the world with her husband, recommends napping “in a hammock on a sailboat.” She would know. Emily and her husband Adam live on their 38ft sailboat year round. I’m pea-green with envy about her naps. The breeze. The motion of the ocean. The sun!
Kara Metcalf loves, “to find a park with grass and shade to nap when travelling around in Europe. Bugs deter me from doing this in other locales.” What? No bugs in Europe? Sign me up! Here’s Kara napping under a windmill in a park in the Netherlands.
Marla Cimini told me that “Hawaii has over 750 miles of gorgeous coastline, so it’s easy to find a tranquil beach for a nap!” It’s hard not to be envious when she shares photos like this. Or when she says things like “I travel to Hawaii several times a year and write about Hawaii often, so I highly recommend the lovely beaches here if you’re seeking an afternoon nap. Just bring a towel, sunscreen and a bottle of water; and enjoy some relaxation under a tropical sky.”
“Every Hawaiian Island offers a beautiful escape, so you’ll find plenty of options for a quick doze – no matter which island you’re visiting.” But FYI, “even though Hawaii tourism does not recommend entering the ocean at beaches without lifeguards, you can still enjoy the incredible scenery and the sound of waves while you’re napping!”
I’ve never been on a cruise ship, so I’ll take Mikkel Paige Woodruff at her word when she says that the best spot, bar none, is on a “cruise ship with the stateroom balcony doors open to let the breeze in. Heavenly.” Mikkel is the author of the blog Sometimes Sailing
Here is one of her recommended staterooms from a recent river cruise.
Jaimie Cline swears that “Pawleys Island is the hammock capital of the world. Almost every beach rental has a hammock. Big live oaks make for great shaded nap spots.” She makes napping here sound idyllic
And I can totally picture a hammock swaying in the breeze under this Live Oak! You can find Jaimie at Love The South Travel.
Napping Accoutrement
What does anyone need to take a nap? Staterooms, gorgeous views, and ocean breezes aside, you shouldn’t need much for a good solid nap. As I’ve said, I like a soft horizontal spot. My husband has the ability to sleep in any chair, anywhere, anytime. Here are a few things that have helped me nap, in less-than-ideal situations. Full transparency, I use them, and I have received no money for saying so.
Bearaby is a Canadian company that makes soft, comfy weighted blankets. Love mine. They even have a small lightweight travel version that’s totally primo for travel. A well-padded eye mask helps if you need it dark and quiet. And I couldn’t help myself, but I had to share the Ostrich Pillow with you. I don’t have one…yet. This thing is either genius or completely bonkers!
If you’re a deep sleeper, then make sure you add some sort of timer to your napping accoutrement (or drink something and the urge to pee will wake you). Headphones, especially padded ones can add a helpful layer of white noise if you’re cat napping at the office or on a plane. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a great place to buy a hammock! In my opinion Lujo, another Canadian company makes the best and most luxurious hammocks for sleeping. They are totally on the pricey side, but this hammock is an investment. Comfy, portable, padded, and weather-proof!
That’s It, Everything You Need To Know
I’ve been retired for a year. I don’t nap as much as I thought I would, but I do nap. And I never feel guilty about it. Although it does feel like a guilty pleasure when I’m home alone napping and everyone else is at work!
Post siesta, riposo, afternoon snooze, power nap, call it what you will, I do feel better and more alert. I think I write better after a nap too, although that’s for you to decide. My blood pressure is definitely lower, so maybe I’ll live longer, or at least delay that dirt nap!
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Cheers,
Cynthia
Blog author, Cynthia Ross Tustin.
Today’s post? Random thoughts and some unsolicited advice napping. You’ll love it, I promise.
Everything is meant to be helpful, nothing here should keep you up at night. It may even put you to sleep reading it!
Posted Friday, September 9th, 2022
Shout out to Feedspot for naming me #66 on their 2022 Top 100 Retirement Blogs and Websites
Cynthia Ross Tustin retired early to pursue her passion for writing. Turns out, she's equally passionate about retirement! This author has spent 1000s of hours researching all the best that retirement has to offer. What you'll find here is a well-curated resource of amazing places to go and fun things to do as your retirement approaches. Not retired, no problem! There's plenty here for all of us that are "of a certain vintage"!