“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap…” Chinese Proverb
I’ve long been a lover of naps. Not in a romantic way, but in severe heart-achy way if a nap and I have been separated too long. And it’s always been that way. As far as I know, I didn’t complain as a child when it was nap-time. And in high school, each post-school day began with a snack and then a nap. I mean, what better way to prepare for dinner? And in university I mastered the art of the nap. I even taught myself how to nap for a 10 or 15 minute stint in order to fully rejuvenate after class and before having to leave for work.
“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.” Barbara Jordan
So it should come as no surprise that my love of naps continues on. My most recent daily ritual included a short nap between 4:30 and 5:00, when Dan would arrive home. He was sure to find me curled up in a ball, on the couch, ‘watching’ Oprah. I was happy there. I looked forward to this ‘me’ time. Frankly, I couldn’t get home fast enough some days.
“But the important thing is to lie down and fall asleep. That little nap means you wake up fresh again and can continue.” James Levine
And then we got Humphrey. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my dog. Adore him, in fact. But the little guy wants nothing to do with the afternoon nap. He sleeps all day waiting for us to return, so he isn’t the least bit tuckered out when I appear at the door. He wants to PLAY! And RUN! And give face kisses and wet nose rubs if either of these desires is not fulfilled immediately.
So, in honour of National Nap Day (ok, it was yesterday), I wanted to pay tribute to the nap. These little darlings have been a part of all my good days, helped me get through some of my bad days and rewarded me on my worst days. I miss them dearly and look forward to their return. No matter how far the distance or how long the separation, I know naps and I will always be lifelong friends.
Kris - I love the nap. Just 15 minutes in the evening before Kurt comes home refreshes me for the whole night. I wish we had designated nap time at work. I would likely be a much more focused employee!
Sonja - I kept trying to convince my bosses to set up a nap room in one of our spare offices. I really thought that this week – because of “spring forward” – my genius idea was finally going to take-off. Everyone was tired. My boss even talked about how badly he needed a nap. At last I had the winning conditions to realize my dream! Sadly, it’s now Wednesday and it seems that everyone except for me has recovered from the time change. I’m starting to loose hope…
Shan - I would swear to NEVER complain about work again if naps were allowed between 2:00 and 2:30 in the afternoon.
Cross my heart.
dan - Some may have heard stories of my experiences visiting companies within China. Sure, they don’t make many renmibis per hour, but THEY GET A NAP EVERY DAY!
Each day after lunch, they turn all the lights out and everyone takes a 30 minute snooze at their desk. They encouraged me to do the same (probably to get rid of me so that they could go and nap!), so after lunch each day of my visit there, I snoozed on a nice black leather sofa.
Who’d have thought that we’d be lobbying our workplaces to be more like Chinese optics manufacturing companies?
Liz King - On particularly sleepy days, I make use of the “close the door because I’m working on something really important and can’t be disturbed” move. I shut my office door, put my head down on my desk, and nap for 10 minutes. This is usually enough to get me through the rest of a sleepy day. I haven’t been caught…yet.