Adored by some, denigrated by others, napping is always a good idea in our humble opinion! This ancient art is a venerable tradition in countries such as Spain, and an activity you can enjoy wherever—and mostly whenever—you want in places like China. In this blog post, we’ll share some tips that will have you enjoying your naps like never before!
Napping: The right time, the right place
Traditionally, people tend to nap after lunch, especially on hot summer days. But the key to a successful nap is not to put it off too long! Napping late in the day will leave you feeling stiff or, even worse, unable to fall asleep when nighttime rolls around. As for the best place to nod off, the choice is yours! Bed, sofa, rocking chair, hammock… It doesn’t really matter as long as you feel comfortable.
Learning how to take it easy
As mentioned earlier, napping is a real art. So you’re going to need some accessories to do things right. First, get an air pillow to support your neck and a thin sheet to make yourself comfortable. For those of you looking for perfection, pick up some earplugs and a sleeping mask! And to make the most of your nap, be sure to take off your shoes and anything else that could interfere with your circulation.
Decide on the length of your nap beforehand
There are different kinds of naps, each lasting a certain amount of time. Whether you opt for a micronap (2 to 5 minutes), a power nap (10 to 30 minutes) or a royal nap (90 to 120 minutes), it’s important to decide in advance how long you’ll sleep before nodding off! So don’t forget to set an alarm—a gentle one if possible—in order to wake up in a great mood.
Shut yourself off from the outside world
Napping is a great way to spend a quiet moment with yourself. You obviously don’t want anyone or anything getting in the way of your respite, so don’t be shy about letting people know you’re about to indulge in a few minutes of restful bliss! And by all means, turn off your phone or any other electronic device that could get between you and Morpheus. Business can wait, but not your well-being.
Don’t hurry the wake up
As you slowly return to reality, don’t rush to open your eyes or get up. Savor the moment! Instead of hitting the snooze button, take a couple of deep breaths and slowly flex each part of your body, from your toes up to your neck. Once all your muscles are awake, enjoy a glass of water or a cup of tea to make sure the rest of you is, too. Then get back to your day, ideally by talking to a person you truly appreciate.
At Fleep, we love to nap! But sometimes we break our own no-phone rule to dial up one of Songza’s best playlists for falling asleep to. Do you do the same thing? Then feel free to share your favorite playlist!