Mindful Napping

August 2024

I’m a little older than I used to be.  Obviously, I don’t just mean my age.  And yes, as I have gotten older many physical things have changed. Most not for the better. But today I’m talking about my temperament. How I act.  What I enjoy.  In this regard, some changes are really starting to become noticeable.  Things like, I don’t like my music as loud.  I don’t like to go out as often, or as late.  I don’t drive as fast or aggressively. I’m patient with some things and totally impatient with others.  If you’re over about 55 I think you know what I mean.

One thing I have been pondering lately is the art of a “nap”.  That little bit of sleepy time that we all either loathe or love.  Me? I used to be a nap naysayer.  I would laugh at people that took them.  Ridicule the idea that they served much of a purpose or could be an aesthetic experience. They were something my dad relied on.  Of course, my dad never admitted to napping, he was always just “resting his eyes”.

For me, I just couldn’t do it.  Didn’t have time for it.  Didn’t see the value in it.  So, the only time I napped was when something like an illness or a hangover forced me to do so.  And then, it was still done reluctantly. 

Now I am a little older, retired, and with a lot less to do.  In the past several months I have done a real 180° on naps. Quickly becoming a big fan of the practice. In fact, napping has started to become a part of my daily ritual. Something I have begun to look forward to. Providing a bit of a pause button on my day. 

We recently got back from a vacation in Belize.  I think I took a nap every day we were there.  Whether it was while lying in the shade by the pool or in a cozy little nook on our room’s patio, I found a way to sneak one in.  It was both relaxing and fulfilling. While dozing, the sounds and smells became so much more distinct. My mind became so much more settled. Napping, believe it or not, truly helped make that vacation extra special.

When I am at home and my 3-year-old grandson is visiting, we take what is called “quiet time” together. We go to my room and lay on the bed.  He watches videos on my iPad until he nods off for a minute or so.  But generally, I think he is awake the whole time. I nap, he rests!  Regardless, we both enjoy this time.

But my favorite nap spot is on my couch, in my living room. Especially if there is no one home, and my house is nice and quiet. I lay where there is a perfect view of the outdoors. The sky, the trees, the birds.  We have a little prism sun catcher that often provides a light show when it is sunny. I don’t always sleep, but often just lay there and try to shut off my mind.  Which I have noticed is not an easy thing to do.

I spent too many years in a corporate environment where a pseudo sense of urgency ruled the day.  Everything was needed yesterday, and we were always juggling a multitude of tasks and projects.  I’m not over that yet.  It’s like I almost manifest the symptoms of a minor version of PTSD.  It takes me a while to turn my mind off and slow things down.  And of course, a nap would often initiate a bit of residual guilt, for what I once considered the ultimate waste of time.  How dare I just try to relax!

While the classic version of a nap generally involves taking a short sleep during the day, I don’t always fall asleep during mine.  But it is an opportunity for me to practice the art of mindfulness. If you don’t know what that is, you should find out.  It’s a straightforward concept that many of us just don’t take the time for.  And there is no doubt we should.

Mindfulness is essentially a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment. Formal versions involve breathing techniques as well as using imagery, and other practices to relax both body and mind.  The objective being to reduce stress.

Many of us spend far too much time planning and problem-solving in life, and this carries over into time when we need to let that go. That’s the PTSD I mentioned above for me.  All of this occupies our mind, after we need it to quit.  This can lead to negative self-talk and guilt.  Which of course creates stress and drains away our life energy.  Studies show that this situation can also make you more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Practicing mindfulness can help direct your attention away from this kind of thinking and engage with the world around you.  Putting your thoughts in the moment, to what you’re doing, to the space you’re moving through. That might seem a minor thing.  It is not! 

Mindfulness is the capability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.  And the best thing is, we all have the capacity to do this.  You just must learn how to access it.  And naps, although not known as the best place to practice this, still offers many of us the opportunity to capitalize on its benefits.

I’m getting better at this but have by no means perfected it.  When I lay down and get comfortable, I just try to stop thinking.  I use my senses to keep me in the moment. I focus on one singular thing in my vision.  I listen to the sounds or the lack of them.  The smells.  The feel of the couch, the pillow.  Working hard to be in the present moment.  No, this doesn’t work well in front of the TV or while monitoring social media on your phone!

Of course, it’s a tug-o-war with my brain at first. One that I rarely win. Yes, I must keep working on it. But let me tell you, I feel so good when I get it right, even if it’s for only a few minutes.  After that, everything seems better.  Especially my mood. My outlook on life. Things just seem to slow down a bit.  My perspective has changed.

Whatever the case, I think naps certainly serve a greater purpose than I once conceived.  Even if you can’t achieve complete mindfulness, at least it gives us a moment to work on it.  And who can turn away a little extra sleep nowadays? 

Someone once described napping as like “getting a hug from the universe”.  I now understand the analogy.  Whether mindful or not, napping can be a great way to slow life down just a tad.  And who doesn’t need that?  I can’t believe I wasted so many decades avoiding it.  I think I’ll go make up for lost time. As far as you know, I’ll just be resting my eyes!