27 Comments
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Miriam Tillman's avatar

My son has always had the gift of the short nap, from babyhood to even now, in his early 40s. He dozes off for 20 minutes and wakes up as if nothing had happened.

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Don Akchin's avatar

It's a valuable life skill!

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Amy's avatar

Love your writing and wicked sense of humor. But G-d! Everything I love - from naps to chocolate - is either gonna kill me or give me dementia! Aaaarrrgh!

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Don Akchin's avatar

It's not fair!

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Charles Rammelkamp's avatar

Count me as an enthusiastic endorser of the nap! NO DOWNSIDE!

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Don Akchin's avatar

Huzzah! Just keep 'em short.

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Abd Sid's avatar

My fav way is to drink coffee and the take a nap, it's more effective than just coffee

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Arnie Bernstein's avatar

This is spot on. I'm a longtime advocate for the power of power naps. Sharing.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Thanks, Arnie!

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Robyn Everingham's avatar

I'm with you on that one Don. We are early dinner eaters.

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Bill Gately's avatar

Don, if that's what they were, my mid-morning naps seemed to make history in the seventh grade. You may remember the teacher snarling at me. She went nuclear on occasion.

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Don Akchin's avatar

I don't remember your naps, but I certainly will never forget Mrs. Alford. She was intense!

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Michelle S's avatar

I rarely nap however during my years in B to B sales, I too would find myself dozing during the Monday morning re cap meetings-ugh!… very painful to try to stay awake.

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Robyn Everingham's avatar

It's worked for Southern Europeans since the beginning of time. I love my siesta.

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Don Akchin's avatar

I agree, although I've never agreed with the related concept of 10pm dinners.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I like to nap sitting up. It feels completely organic to just doze off for 10-20 minutes after lunch without actually lying down. If I lie down, I'm already "telling myself to take a nap," which doesn't work very well.

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Don Akchin's avatar

I'm glad that works for you. I'm committed to my practice of horizontal meditation.

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Wayne Christensen's avatar

Luv this! Before I say more, you know what I’m about to do….

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Brian Feutz's avatar

So true, Don.

I read somewhere that 17 minutes is the optimal nap duration. I'm sure that level of precision isn't needed but I set my alarm for exactly that several times a week and wake up refreshed.

Very entertaining and well-written article. Thanks.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Thank you, Brian. It's good to know the optimal, but I think I'll continue to round up.

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Stella Fosse's avatar

Glad to see the conflicting evidence parsed out. And sorry to report that editing my next book puts me to sleep.

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Don Akchin's avatar

Maybe you should try the Ultra Power Nap Trip: Drink a cup of coffee, lie down for 20 minutes, and wake up ALERT! Apparently that's how long it takes caffeine to take effect.

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Karen Carr's avatar

This is music to my ears, Don. Just knowing I can lie down for a half hour break has a calming effect on me. When I do lie down, setting a timer helps to relax me even more.

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Jody DOSHER's avatar

Nice article. Churchill was an avid napper.

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Tim Frame's avatar

And an avid drinker!

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Susan McCorkindale's avatar

“Unwilling to take this lying down” you had me right there!

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