Let’s start by taking a nap or two

~ Fridgesays

Quote from the classic bear that no babies nursery is complete without  – Winnie the Pooh 

Do you like to nap? Are you someone who likes to lay in at the weekend, go to bed early or just loves a snooze? 

Or are you the opposite? Someone who feels napping is lazy, sleep is for the weak and you could be doing something productive? I know many babies and young children that agree with the latter. The average parent loses 400 – 750 hours of sleep in the first year after having a baby. 

We know and certainly research suggests that napping is good for us. The optimum power nap for adults should be between 15-30 minutes.

Sleep or lack of, is a fascinating area of research that so many of us are too busy to read up on. Perhaps reading this you’re thinking ‘it would be lovely if I had the time’ and I hope reading those thoughts you can see the irony.

Sleep enhances our performance, our mental health and our overal wellbeing. 

I was a nightmare child who didn’t sleep through the night until I was seven (sorry Mum and Dad), I remember standing at the top of the staircase calling out and inventing excuses as to why I should come back downstairs (feeling thirsty and poorly tummy were my favourites) and as a result I don’t need much sleep as an adult. I am a morning person and not particularly a night time owl but around six hours is probably perfect for me. The average adult needs between 7.5 and 9 hours sleep per night, preferably uninterrupted. A lengthier night sleep can actually make you feel more tired and can result in a sleep hangover. No thanks, pass me the gin.

Humans are the only mammals that don’t take regular naps during the day. Thinking like that makes me think that Pooh had the right attitude. Most mammals take small 10-15minute naps throughout the day (my dog takes three to four 4hr naps throughout the day) although I’m not sure my classes would approve, it makes a huge amount of sense for productivity and quality of life.
Mattress quality is the next huge thing for sleep quality and back health. We are about to upgrade ours, with the average mattress lasting between 4 to 6 years and considering the amount of time you spend in it, it is worth investing in, we are a little overdue. The sleep council have more info on this should you require it. 

Taking some time out to think about your sleep routine and how you can enhance it is time well spent and may just make Monday mornings a little less stressful. Or instead you could use the time to nap. Either way you’ll be winning. 

What is your sleep pattern like?

28 thoughts on “Let’s start by taking a nap or two”

  3. I was exactly the same as a child, I needed the toilet, I needed a drink of water, or I needed a tissue, when in actual fact I was just scared of being in my room but was too scared to tell m y parents that! I had two night owl children and one morning child. It drives me crazy that they come out and often I get woken in the night, I guess it is payback. I am hopeless without sleep! #eatsleepblogRT

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  4. You’re so right. My 19 month old regularly wakes up in the night (which I’ve given up mentioning to all my friends whose kids ‘never wake up’ now) and even a slight interruption throws me off a bit. Last night we had a very unusual nappy leak situation so I got to do a full cot change at 4:30am. I’m naturally a morning person too but find I am sluggish if I’ve had disrupted nights. The I struggle to sleep properly and it’s a vicious circle. I certainly would reconsider my pre-child view on naps!! #MarvMondays

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  6. Ha Ha – sleep pattern, what sleep pattern? The only pattern we have is I’m bound to be woken at some point in the night by a baby and we will definitely be joined in bed by our eldest at some point! I do need to be more serious about sleep though…. with that in mind this is the last blog I am going to read tonight so I can try and get at least 7 (ish) hours (with some interruptions no doubt!). Thanks for the reminder to get enough kip. x eatsleepblogRT

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  7. Before I had my 7 month old I loved 8 hours sleep each night. Now, well last night I was awake every 2 hours. What is sleep? Her sleeping pattern hs got worse as shes got older and I’m back to work in just over 2 weeks!

    Thanks for linking up with #EatSleepBlogRT

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  11. I’ve realised about 7 for me is perfect, not that I ever get that unbroke now. We’ve just had a littl’un so a few hours is something I’d kill for haha. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. xo

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  12. Unfortunately since I had the kids I dont get anywhere near enough sleep. I used to sleep in until lunchtime and loved a nap but it is rare these days. My body clock has changed too, because even if I dont have the kids at home, I wake up early 😦 xxx

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