I always have more than one book in progress: One for when I’m tired and need mindless entertainment; one for when I’m alert, is informative and grows my neuro-connections.
I found a book* that addresses both and surprised me with a tip on napping. When I was younger naps were a waste of time. Now, I appreciate the “restorative power” of catching a mid-day snooze. Here is a good recipe for a…
“Nappuccino”
Want to maximize your Nappuccinos? Here is what you do:
- Find the best time for your nap. When is your energy low point? Your mood low point? For most of us, it is about 7 hours after we wake up.
- Create your nap environment – someplace comfortable: the floor, bed, couch, bathtub (EMPTY) – definitely low lights and NO cell phone.
- Set a timer, nap 10 to 20 minutes, you will feel more alert and function better, without waking with that groggy feeling.
Here’s the kicker that surprised me:
The Nappucino
Drink a cup of coffee! That’s right, drink coffee before you nap. It takes the caffeine about 25 minutes to kick in, so you’ll get the perfect amount of napping time and then you’ll wake up with the caffeine boost. Who woulda thunk it?
There’s also evidence that habitual nappers get more from their naps than infrequent nappers. Practice makes perfect – I’m taking a Nappucino every day until I am an expert.
(PA)
*”WHEN: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing” by Daniel Pink
This is really interesting info – I’m going to tell my son whose only vitamin is coffee and who thinks he’s not affected by the caffeine – yeah, right! Anyway, I find my nappacinos occur just at the climax of the TV show I’m watching. I know the beginning of 10,000 shows and the ending of one – “That’s all folks.”
I read Pink’s book “A Whole New Mind” – required for one of the schools where I taught.
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Shari,
Caffeine has been shown to be good for you.
Beginnings and endings have been shown to be unavoidable.
Bugs Bunny knew what he was talking about.
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Meant to tell Peggy how funny the cartoon is – but when did you slip in to use me as a model?
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Sharon,
I snuck Peggy in to use you as a model as soon as I learned that you slept with lots of nice pets, like dogs and cats–and elephants! We were very quiet, since none woke up.
Freddie Parker Westerfield, S.D.C.S.
Super Detective Canine Snoop
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Shari,
Are you the bird sleeping on Meowie’s tail or the wittle worm with it’s head on the pillow?
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You’ll have to tell me. I don’t know what I look like when I’m asleep. (Sheesh – what is she thinking?)
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Sharon,
You are the bird, beautiful shades of blue and yellow and peaceful. I remember now.
Peggy
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Nice to know that a little nap is perfect with a cup of coffee Will give it a try
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Anne,
Let us know how your Nappuccino works. I thought it a brrrrrriliant suggestion since my naps tend towards the 2 hour mark and then I have trouble going to sleep in the p.m.
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Do Freddie, Meowie, elephant, mouse, and other critters snore? If so, what a symphony.
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Dear Linda T.
We do not snore as we are critters imbued with decorum and propriety, not to mention social graces and open nasal passages. But thanks for asking
Frankly,
Freddie Parker Westerfield, SS
Silent Sleeper
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