Depression & Benefits of Proper Naps: Refreshing or Messes Up Sleep Cycle?

By Merely Me Friday, September 11, 2009

- A
- A
- A

(Drawing by my son Max)

Merely Me's Happiness Project

Take one depressed person...me

Implement one suggestion from a self help book each week

See what happens

Can one unmedicated and therapy-less woman find the secret to happiness from the words of self-help gurus? Let's find out!

--------------------------

The new drawing is due to the fact that I am going to be talking about napping.

Yes, there is actually a self help book out there totally devoted to the fine art of napping.

When is the last time you had a nap?

The self help book I will be referring to is called "Take a Nap! Change your life" by Sara C. Mednick, Ph.D.

The cover of the book is full of promises that you are going to be smarter, healthier, and more productive due to her scientific plan for napping.

Okay so the idea of napping my way to better overall health...it sounded alluring. I mean...who doesn't dream of taking a nap and this book is promoting it!

This book claims that if you take a proper nap that you will be able to do the following and more:

Elevate your mood
Boost your creativity
Reduce your stress
Help your memory
Reduce your risk of diabetes
Improve your sex life
Lose weight
Improve the ease and quality of your nocturnal sleep.

My first response is to say, "Oh reeeeahhheaallly???"

I dunno.

So I tried these "optimized" power naps. The thing about me is that I am a good napper. I could nap anywhere and anytime. I love the idea of naps and especially in the middle of the day when you naturally are feeling kinda sluggish.

Sure...one might feel a little energized after a twenty minute nap. But I have to tell you...there is a price to pay. At least in my experience. When I nap, it screws up my night time sleep. I am up late if I nap...and then I am tired when I wake up in the morning...thereby making it almost necessary to nap again...and feeding this cycle.

Maybe I am unusual in this but naps aren't worth the disruption of my night time sleep and then getting out of rhythm in my sleep patterns.

I would say...getting a good night's sleep may elicit all those good claims the author is making. But just from a nap...I don't know.

My Happiness Rating of this self help suggestion:

2/5 happys.

What are your thoughts? Do you nap? If so does it refresh you or do you find that it messes up your night time sleep cycle? Your thoughts and opinions are important. We want to hear from you!

Ruminations on Ruminating or How to Stop Thought Vomit

Comments (27) | Add comment

psychoward1

9/11/09 7:23pm

It beter mess up my night time sleep schedule cause I am about to go take a nap so I can stay up all night. I have to work the grave shift tonight. The only thing I hate about this grave yard shift is I have to listen to people keroake till 2:30am. You talk about depressing. Take some freakin singin lessons people, lol!

Pat

rose martin

9/11/09 7:50pm

Hi Merely ME, firstly, I love your Sons drawing, especially the sun? peeping tru the clouds and that guy n the bed looks really snug.

Well Merely Me, Im a bad sleeper and my pain tends to get worse at night so I dont get a good nights sleep.

Nearly every day, i take a power nap. I go into the Bed, lie down, put a warm blanket over me and meditate, then I fall into a sleep for about half an hour.

I have low energy from the RA so if I have to meet someone at night, I ll go for a Nap maybe for 20mins, its a life saver. What apity I didnt write that book before her, Id be a millionaire now !! look at the Italians and the Spanish, greek, they all take their power nap for 1 hour siesta each day, it refreshes them, they are healthy. Allthe shops close and the Greeks and Turks all lie down and sleep for one hour at the hottest part of the day. Midday. It relieves stress, recharges the body.

I say, bring back the Siesta ! bring back the Nap !

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:04am

Pat...

What do you do? Do you work at a karaoke bar? I must say...I love me some karaoke. I have done it twice now and I am hooked. My son..."Me and Bobby McGee" I wonder if anyone is thinking the same thing about me..."go get some lessons honey!" lol

hope you got a good nap!

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:07am

Hey Rose!

yeah...it is like some alien thing here in the states...the idea of napping. Other countries do this nap thing or has this diminished? I do not know. Naps are wonderful. I just can't go to sleep like normal at night then. So I try to avoid them but...with my MS sometimes I just have to give in.

Yes you should have written a napping book. wow...this topic is making me sleepy! I need to wake up!

psychoward1

9/12/09 11:23am

I work at a hotel that has karaoke at the lounge. It is very loud. I have heard good karaoke, but not here. I bet you have a beautiful voice.

Pat

I did nap, but it wasnt one of the good ones.

tinantaz2

9/11/09 9:25pm

I take naps to rest my eyes from doing homework, medical transcription, on line. Most days I get about a 15-30 minute nap. I also sit out in the sun for about 30 minutes. Naps seems to not interfer with my sleep pattern. I seem to fall asleep and not wake up until daylight. Every now and then about once or twice a month I am so stressed out I wake from some kind of sub-conscience irritation and I panic. I have to take one or two valiums or I'll have a panic attack. I really don't know what causes that.

It may be the underlying stress of being unemployed. I'm financially in good shape. To me, a job makes me feel of importance, rather than making money. I feel socialized and I help the company with helping customers. I enjoy it. Dressing up or getting out of my sweats and pj's, putting on makeup, and all that goes on with a job. I am 44, this month, and divorced, no children. I live with Mom and Dad. I have been for the past 8 years since my divorce. I wanted to move out several times, once to get married, but 6 years ago, but my fiance in Canada didn't work out. Now, we need each other. They are older, 78 and 69 and I help them and they help me. I try not to compare myself with my siblings who all have their own house and they are married. I sometimes would get so depressed thinking I am a failure to my familiy and as a human being and that no one understands my lonliness. I felt invisible. My Mother is the only one who really knows my pain. And my physchologist I had when I was working. He was very good, but I cannot afford him now.

Ricovring

9/11/09 10:07pm

tinantaz2

I am sorry to hear that you have unpredictable yet fairly regular panic attacks. You've probably read and used CBT to work on you attacks, but if not, I recommend Edmund Bourne's Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. Can you see a counselor (psychologist) at a free

medical service? You had a good experience before, that's why I am encouraging you

to seek for another.

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:11am

Hey there

You are most certainly NOT a failure...I give you many kudos for helping out your family. This used to be more of the norm than not. I have a friend who just quit her job to go home to help her family...her mom has cancer. and...it was not an easy decision for her to make. she loved her job. If living with your parents works out for all parties involved...don't feel bad about it. When they are gone..you might really be glad that you got to spend so much time with them.

Thanks for sharing your story here.

tinantaz2

9/12/09 3:59pm

Thank you. I do feel lucky in that way. I love them so very much! I would never trade them for a man!

marja

9/11/09 9:46pm

Hi Merelyme,

I take a 15 or 20 minute power nap whenever I feel I need to rest my body and mind. It really works, making me feel refreshed and able to get on with the day again. It never interferes with my night time sleeping.

Today I got up at 4:30 after 6 1/2 hours sleep (not uncommon for me) and I was busy all day until about 4pm. I really needed a good rest if I were to have energy for more. I lay down but couldn't sleep. However, I did lie down with my eyes closed for twenty minutes, trying to fully rest my body. It worked almost as well as a nap would. My body wasn't tired anymore.

Yes, I think for most people a brief nap will help you get more out of the day. Much more. Thing is, you shouldn't extend it too long or you'll wake up more tired than when you started.

marja

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:15am

So lovely to see you Marja!

I hope you are doing well. You make a good point...just resting can help. There are days my mind gets to be so sluggish that I just have to stop and...close my eyes and not think about anything. It is essential for me to do this so I can go on. I will probably do this today as I have a writing marathon to do.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I will try to get over to your blog soon.

Ricovring

9/11/09 10:11pm

I nap whenever I can. But rarely does that mean I fall asleep. Napping helps me keep a good attitude, stay simple, regain my focus, rejuvenate my weary mind and body. My sleep is very good anyway at night.

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:17am

Oh so...you rest then instead of going to sleep? Whatever you are doing...sounds like it works for you! I am thinking of a procrastination nap...that probably will not be good for me. :>)

Thanks so much for contributing to our discussion!

Judy

9/11/09 10:20pm

Since I've been retired, I seldom take naps because I am able to get 8 - 9 hours of sleep at night, plus if I do take a nap, I wake up crabby for some reason. Actually, I usually wake up crabby every morning, too, like I just don't want to start the day. Guess I'd better figure that one out. If I lived alone, I might not get up at all, so it's probably good that I don't. Maybe part of it right now is that there are a lot of family get-togethers coming up, some at my house, and I don't know if I'm really up for it. Gosh, now I'm feeling crabby again! Sorry about that. Naps are probably a good thing if you can get them in, I would have loved it when I was working!

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:42am

Awww sweet Judy

You are entitled to feel crabby. My son sings a song when he is crabby from one of his kid videos..."I'm a hermit crab so just leave me alone...leave me alone." lol I feel like that a lot too. Family get togethers can be extremely stressful! So let us give you some support...tell us more about what is going on and...how you are coping.

You help so many people here...please allow us to return the favor.

LyraStorm

9/11/09 10:34pm

It's funny that you should bring up napping. I just had a (brief) discussion with my shrink earlier this week about the value of napping. He thinks I should try it because I'm always tired. I told him that I take at least half an hour to an hour to get to sleep (at the best of times) and if I sleep during the day I find it even harder to sleep at night (like you Merely Me). Plus I find it makes me feel nauseous if I only allow myself a short time to sleep. I'm the type who has to be in it for the long haul - I take ages to get to sleep, I'm in a state where I'm easy to wake, then I finally go deep for a few hours (if I'm lucky - sometimes I just continually wake up) and then I get into the light sleep again for a few hours before I wake properly. Not really a sleep pattern that is constructive for a nap. I actually think I can't nap. It's beyond me!

I guess it's just one of those things where everyone is different. Like some people are more awake in the mornings, others at night. We're not built the same so we can't expect to need or benefit from the same things. For people like me naps are bad. For others they are the difference between functioning well the rest of their day and being grumpily tired.

rose martin

9/12/09 5:57am

Hi Lyra, I just thought, with your M.S. its really good to nap. I dont sleepwell at night, its a sleep wake, sleep wake, in the morning im panicky. I just fall on the bed and put a soft blanket/Cover over me and do some meditation - myleft arm is heavy [its called autogenics, I get all the body to relax, even the eyes, forehead, its just amazing all the tension thats there, then when im in a state of deep relaxation I imagine my immuune system fighting off the Rheum.Arthritis and I imagine myself happy and relaxed with no Depression, I sort of slip into dazy dozy state, not necessarily sleep but asort of dozy state. It does recharge the batteries. I guess we're all different. Like you Lyra, Im always pretty tired, going to the shop [I havent a car] to get food and walk home exausts me and Ihave to lie down. Maybe give it a try. I can give you the relaxation method if you ever feel like trying it.

As you know all the great leaders napped, Napolean, Churchill, alot of the older American Presidents, most great people in power nap during theday . Best of luck anyway.

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:45am

Hi Lyra!

I am almost glad to hear you say this...so I am not all by myself here. lol Yeah...it totally messes up my sleep. I get so wired and especially at night...I would be up half the night if I napped a lot. I take melatonin to get to sleep and I admit...sometimes benadryl. I am so busy too that if I nap...I feel like I have missed getting things done.

Thank you so much for your comment!

jjbgeneva

9/12/09 11:23am

Hi M&M; Sometimes it is a fine line beteen napping & meditating. I have been doing the latter for 30+ years. It works or me. I sleep 8+ hours each night. I may get up once or twice a night to pee (older age), but have deep REM sleep with insightful dreams to analyze the next day. This helps depression & lowers my blood-pressure. Regards; Jim

Merely Me

9/12/09 11:47am

Ya know...I wish I could meditate. Trying to do this just makes my mind even crazier...I can't seem to stop all the thoughts from flooding in. What is the trick to it?

Thanks so much for participating in our discussion here!

jjbgeneva

9/12/09 12:18pm

Lost my response, will try later. Regards; I have no problem providing my phone #'s if you would like to chat. This is a most important subject.

Merely Me

9/12/09 12:41pm

Hello there

We can't post phone numbers here but I would...instead...greatly encourage you to write a sharepost about meditation which could help all our viewers. How does that sound?

jjbgeneva

9/12/09 1:29pm

Sounds good; Working on my book this afternoon. Will try to get a sharepost out tomorrow. Jim

jjbgeneva

9/13/09 11:49am

To start, say the following: "I KNOW I can & WILL meditate. I WILL be a better, happier, healthier and wiser person." Two exercises: Muscle Tightness & Relaxation. Autogenic feed-back (Heavy & warm) Say as you progress through each major part of your body. YES!! It takes practice, patience, persistence and a reach for perfection. GOOD LUCK; Jim

fifi

9/12/09 1:19pm

Hi Merely Me and everyone. Love the drawing!

I've just come back from my holiday in portugal and I couldn't help but fall asleep over there sometimes, no wonder they have siestas, the sun knocks you out. I also find that when I'm reading that seems to make me doze off. Hope everyone is ok, it's nice to go away, but it's really nice to come home again. I missed my cat so much. we met a cute little siamese cat over there at the hotel and he used to come into our room for some food. at the end of our holiday, he was leading the way to our room and waiting outside the fridge for some meat.

Merely Me

9/12/09 1:37pm

Welcome back Fifi!

You were very missed! I bet your kitty is glad to see you back. You will have to tell us all about your trip...now that is a place I have never been too and probably never will. so at least I can travel there in my mind as you describe it.

Did you get a chance to see your interview? It went really well...people loved it.

Happy to see you! write a sharepost when you get a chance....

Rena

9/13/09 2:10am

I am a shift worker. I work four day shifts (0700am to 0700pm), I have four days off, then I work four night shifts (0700pm to 0700am), have four days off, then I start the whole cycle over again. I work a lot of overtime too. I have a 1.5 hour commute to work as well. I leave my house at 0500am or pm and then get home at 0900pm or am. At best,...I can catch about 5 hours on my work days. I live with sleep deprivation all the time, napping is all I really do! I switch around from one shift to the next. Usually on my first day off, I crash and burn (if I can) and sleep for 10 to 12 hours to catch up. Then,...I feel like "Death Warmed Over" for the next day off.

I wish I could just go to sleep easily!!! Most of the time it takes an hour to relax enough to go to sleep!

Depression & Benefits of Proper Naps: Refreshing or Messes Up Sleep Cycle?

Ask a Question