MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024 - NATIONAL NAP DAY

 MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024

REFLECTION ON NATIONAL DAYS

I like looking at the National Day Today site to see the event, but I don’t always check it. This week, we have PI Day on Thursday (March 14—or 314) and the IDES of March on Friday (et tu Brute).  

There are a few days that I can comment on today.  National Johnny Appleseed Day, National Napping Day, National No-Code Day, and National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day.

National Johnny Appleseed Day. Yes, John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, saw planting apple trees as a way of alleviating world hunger.  The apple trees he planted were primarily for apples used in Apple Cider (which, at the time, was a way around poor water conditions).

I will not code tomorrow (I haven’t really coded in a few years).

Growing up, our neighbor was a Funeral Director/Mortician.  He was a funny guy.  He said, “I wanted to be a doctor as a kid, and now I follow doctors - and bury their mistakes”, or “I had a good year last year - but I didn’t want to smile in front of people.”  

NATIONAL NAPPING DAY:

National Napping Day.Each year, National Napping Day recognizes our need the day following the return of daylight saving time. Not only does the observance encourage a nap, it reminds us that there's no shame in taking one either. While preparing for the time change can offset the shock to our internal clock, many other things in our life may not handle the change so well causing us to still lose sleep. Young children and pets do not adjust as easily and certain work schedules do not permit early adjustment, either.

A needed rest can make you feel better and also improve your mood. After having the extra amount of sleep, a person will notice that they will be more productive and energetic. Numerous studies have shown that short 10-20 minute naps are the most effective when midday fatigue hits. Improvements in alertness, productivity, and mood have all been shown to improve with this type of snooze.  

I had a friend who told me he had “lounger disease”.  I’ve experienced that too.  I get in my favorite recliner and have my Bible app play some scriptures from Leviticus- and -boom- I’m asleep!! (Leviticus or some other Old Testament readings can put me asleep - especially if I choose the narrator from the King James Version). 

I’m a good 10 to 20 minute napper.  (I’m amazed how refreshed I am after my little nap).  Yesterday, my nap was about 15 minutes - and “snap” - I was a wake and alert.  Some days I can be a bit groggy. 

The benefits from napping (according to various websites:
Improved alertness
Decrease stress
Improve mood

Q. Does everyone nap?
A. No. Some people are not nappers.

Q. Can a nap be too long?
A. Yes. Long naps and naps taken late in the day can negatively impact our nighttime sleep habits. According to the Mayo Clinic, an optimal nap time is between 10 and 20 minutes.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL NAPPING DAY

• Catch some zzzz

• Be sure to nap early enough in the day so as to not interrupt your regular sleep cycle. As a former mathematician I like my nap to start at 12:34 (one, two, three, four). 

• Create a perfect napping environment.  (No TV, no music that I am familiar with, a blanket over my legs, tilted back and comfortable, and with something boring like Leviticus readings.

• I cover my eyes (I had eyecovers next to my recliner).  I’ve also used kitchen towels or even used socks to cover my eyes.

My napping:  Some people call my type of nap - a “Power Nap”.  I know a few people that if they took a nap they would be asleep for at least two hours - and then not able to sleep at night)

To me, my nap is almost a “sacred time”.  My friends know “Karen is napping now”, don’t disturb her.”  When I take my friend Mary (who doesn’t drive) to lunch and then grocery shopping after lunch, I can get grouchy if I am missing my nap (and she recognizes that). 

Research shows that napping is scientifically proven to be better for you than coffee or energy drinks. You might have lost that extra hour with the start of Daylight Savings Time, but you can catch up a little with a nap!!

(I sometimes took my power nap the last few years while I was teaching. I’d close my eyes - sometimes even sleeping on the floor - or on my chair pushed back so my head was resting on the wall.) 

For me, I’ll generally observe the National Napping Day most days!!! <grin>

LOVE WINS (especially if you are rested)

LOVE TRANSFORMS (and my nap helps me keep things in perspective)

Karen Anne White, ©, March 11, 2024