To nap or not to nap?

We are all different, aren't we? Personally, I try not to nap during the day and to go to bed quite late, as I sleep better then. My dad was as fit as a fiddle until about 94 (died aged 96) and he always had a good nap in the afternoon- and he said it really helped him.

Me too Lilygran, as soon as I sit down....I'm gone!

And me. It doesn't seem to make any difference to my sleep at night if I have a nap or not. Sometimes I sleep and sometimes I don't.

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

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.

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 !!

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 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.

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

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.

I still sleep for 8/9 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.

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

Yep. I sleep for nine hours at night.

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?

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 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...)

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.

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.

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!

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

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...

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

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 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!