To nap or not to nap?

I have a sleep in the afternoon. My G.P. said to follow the Mediterranean diet because they have less health problems but never mentioned the fact that they have a siesta. I think it is important to let your body relax for a short while and even if you don't sleep, then rest for a while. I love to get into bed in the afternoon, read for a bit and then drift off for an hour.

I do have health problems though that I get tired after only a few hours, exhausted really, and so need to lie down in order to cope later in the day. It's just how it works for me.

I never nap during the day, that's for old folks.

I might however have a siesta, that's continental

I've been a poor sleeper for many years, but I've stopped worrying about it now. I usually go to bed about midnight, fall asleep quickly and then wake about 1.30. Then that's repeated until about 5.30, when I seem to fall into a deep sleep. I don't usually get up before 9 and I rarely feel tired enough to nap in the daytime. Tinnitus plays a part, as it always seems louder at night and harder to get back off to sleep. I usually watch the news on TV as speech drowns the noise out best. Thank heavens I can get up when I want to, now I'm no longer at work. Such luxury!

I sometimes have a nap after lunch if I'm tired - and if I'm in the garden on a sunny day. It doesn't spoil my nighttime sleep. Generally though I have some project on the go and keep at it

I can zone out and nap during the day and I love it if I get the opportunity, I often say I should be living abroad where a siesta is the norm.
At night I wake up at least every two hours, sometimes to the exact minute.
I sometimes have such long exciting dreams that I think I've been out for hours then I look at the clock and it's only been an hour!

I can't sleep during the day either, but I do go to sleep easily at night, usually after watching tv, at about 11.30pm.

I used to be able to, out of sheer necessity. It works.

How on earth can you have a 10 or 20 minute power nap? Do you just shut off like a light and go to sleep? I have a real problem with even imagining such a feat...

Isn't it wonderful to have the choice...

When I had a day and evening job I used to have a 10 minute power nap before going to my evening job. I still slept at night. I believe that as long as you do not sleep for more than 20 minutes it will not affect your sleep or make you feel dozy. Maggie Thatcher apparently only slept 5 hours a night but did take power naps!

If I'm sitting down about 3-4pm I find it hard to stay awake. DH is the same. I'm usually in bed reading until midnight or 1 am though and awake about 6.30 am.

I nap every afternoon if poss and put on the timer for either 20 mins or 40 mins as they are supposed to be the best time spans. If you sleep longer you can go into a deep sleep and when you wake you still feel tired.

It seems to work for me.

I am asleep most nights between 10 and 10.30 and wake at about 5.45. I am definitely an early bird not a night owl.

I just can't go to sleep in the day. I can't nod off like DH does - it takes me 30-40 mins at night to settle and then I'm lucky to get 6 or 7 hours altogether (one or two loo visits seem to be the norm...)

Yes, that sounds perfect Roses. I love nodding of in the garden, and have an afternoon nap if I feel like it. I need more sleep these days

I take a nap if I feel tired or ill. It's that simple. I feel fortunate that I have the choice.

I don't care whether it's considered 'normal' or not. Why would that matter if it doesn't affect anyone else?

Oh roses! That is so sweet - about the next door cat.

Yep. I sleep for nine hours at night.

I never nap I'm awake at 5 as it is so I daren't nap but I rarely feel the need anyway.

I still sleep for 8/9 hours at night.

Exactly Jingl just what I feel. I nodded off yesterday for half an hour on the garden swing, and woke up to find next doors cat, a huge tabby fast asleep next to me.

Just napped through some of the Djokvic/Dimitrov match - I must have been tired!

I have just napped for a short while in the garden. It was very nice. So long as it doesn't interfere with your night's sleep, and so long as you are not sleeping a lot of the time, as might happen with depression, why would it be harmful?

We are getting a little bit old now. Be kind to yourself. Just so long as you are getting other things done during the day, it's fine.

For years I used to have a nap in the afternoon. I worked in the morning and often had to taxi my kids [and everyone elses] around in the evening/early morning. Everyone in the village knew that I'd quite happily jump in the car at two in the morning to pick them up from parties and suchlike. For some reason I stopped doing it a few years ago but wish I could start doing it again. I'm quite a nocturnal person and it fitted in well with my life, especially as most of the tv programmes I like are on late at night. I now nod off on the sofa in the evening and miss them.

I Never take a nap in the afternoon !

On the other hand himself AKA Mr Nonu always takes a power nap for about 30 minutes after lunch

Different strokes --I suppose !!

I get quite annoyed with my mother, She naps during the afternoon, but then complains that she is up and lonely at 5.30am. Sometimes earlier. She can't have it both ways! I have told her to train herself out of it, setting an alarm clock in the afternoon to wake her after 20mins (which is supposed to be enough) but she won't.

Trying so hard not to let my eyes close while watching tennis (hence on laptop between games to keep me awake!)