The Importance of Napping | by Madisyn Taylor As we focus on the many obligations we gladly undertake in order to create the lives we want, sleep is often the first activity that we sacrifice. We're compelled by both external and internal pressures to be productive during many of our waking hours. While this can lead to great feats of accomplishment, it also disrupts the body's natural cycles and leaves us craving rest. Napping represents a pleasurable remedy to this widespread sleep deprivation. Though judged by many as a pastime of little children or the lazy, the need for a nap is a trait that all mammals share and an acceptable part of the day in many countries. It is also a free and effortless way to improve our health and lift our spirits. A nap is relaxing and can improve our mood, vision, reflexes, and memory. Lack of sleep, whether ongoing or the result of a single night's wakefulness, puts stress on the body and mind. It can negatively impact your physical and mental health. At one time, napping was considered a natural part of life. In the past hundred years, however, electricity and modern conveniences have provided us with more time to engage in personal and professional activities. Consequently there is now less time for sleep. A mere ten minutes of sleep in the middle of the day can leave you feeling more cheerful and alert. A half-hour long nap can sharpen your senses and refresh your energy reserves, and a shorter nap can even sustain you through a long day. Napping can help you make up for lost sleep and serves as a supplement to your usual sleep schedule. You may need to give yourself permission to nap by making naptime a part of your day. Feelings of guilt about napping or being preoccupied with other activities can keep you awake when you are trying to take a nap. If you need help, surround yourself with soft pillows and blankets or soothing music. Try to take a nap at the same time each day and use an alarm clock to ensure that you don't fall into too deep a sleep. Learning to nap and enjoying its benefits can help you reclaim your natural right to nap. You nourish your being every time you take a nap. | DailyOM Course Spotlight by Kassandra Reinhardt You've heard the line, "you spend one third of your life sleeping." And you wish that were true for you. It probably feels like you've done everything possible to improve your sleep quality. You've bought the best mattress. Ordered all those products advertised on the shopping network while you lay awake on the couch in the middle of the night. And yet you still can't get to sleep--let alone stay asleep for that highly coveted 8 hours. The good news is that proven rest relief is on the way with this powerful sleep program. Forget about the countless external sleep gimmicks--it's time to turn inwards. With this powerful course, you'll be guided through some of the best ways to use yoga to dramatically improve the quality of your sleep. Over 10 days, you'll learn to use movement, stillness, breath and mindfulness to lull yourself to bed. You'll discover how to quiet your mind, find stillness, and finally rid your body of aches and pains with the best techniques to finally get a restful night. Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. Protect Yourself from Control Dramas 2. Tidy in Ten 3. Fit and Fierce Over 40 4. Chair Yoga for Healing, Strength and Mobility 5. Overcoming Body Stiffness 6. 21 Days to Phenomenal Abdominals 7. 21 Day Plant-Based Plan for a Lighter, Happier YOU! 8. 21 Day Yoga Shred For Men 9. From Codependent to Independent 10. 14 Day Spinal Reset
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