Ah naps. Is there a more splendid thing? I think not!
I’m on vacation today from work and just enjoyed a 20-minute reset…snuggled on the couch with a fuzzy blanket. Aahh, blissfully recharged and ready for my next project. I love a quick nap. And then I got to thinking, does the concept of enough even apply to something as benign and seemingly insignificant as a little siesta? I think so.
There are varying opinions on naps. Some people (like me) love naps while others say they can’t nap all. Some people see a nap as a rare but therapeutic break from the hectic pace of life, others just don’t see the purpose at all. A 20-minute nap for some is like hitting the ole “reset” button on their energy level and general outlook on the world. This short break energizes them, blesses their soul with kindness, and insulates them from irritability at the world (and people) around them. Still others say napping in the middle of the day makes them feel worse. Some see it as a waste of time and some say that even a 15-minute nap in the middle of the day will prevent quality sleep at night.
Wherever you land, even naps adhere to the principle of Enough, which essentially says that too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing. We all have our own enough point and living in the sweet spot of the Enough Life even applies to naps. If you are a person who enjoys a nap break, don’t neglect the opportunity to take a nap break when you can, but know the point at which your napping regime turns unproductive.
Yes, even I can acknowledge that there is such a thing as too much napping. If you nap too much, you may be wasting precious daytime when your attention is needed on other matters, such as house work and family time. You may be neglecting your responsibilities or frustrating those who depend on you. You may also be sacrificing deep, quality sleep at night.
How can we know our napping sweet spot? Its the spot between feeling drained and feeling like you never accomplish anything. Between feeling like you have nothing more to give and feeling like you haven’t given anything at all. The point where you are caring for your soul and not neglecting the responsibility to care for those around you. The point where a nap feels like a good, productive task and yet still feels like a rare and delightful gift for your body and soul. Then you know you are at the enough point of true peace, joy and satisfaction.