Why I Nap

I’m kind of known for napping. Online and IRL (in real life). If I don’t text back or I don’t get to an email immediately, it is because I am napping.

I need the nap.

I like the nap.

I embrace the nap.

Napping to restore my body

Let’s start with the nap itself. I take a nap at around 11 or noon for two hours. I’ve been on this schedule for so long that I don’t even need an alarm.

Actually, I don’t think I ever really needed an alarm except on high disease activity days. I used this nap/rest time to recharge my batteries, amp up my brain, and rest my eyes. Even before the pandemic, I spent a lot of time on my devices and my eyes fatigued quickly.

An indicator for RA disease activity

Not only did the nap restore my body, but it also was a good indicator for my rheumatoid arthritis (RA). If I slept way less or way more than the two hours, there was a good chance I was in a flare or about to go into a flare.

Personally, I felt more fatigued when I was about to derail into a flare than during one. If I struggled to wake up or couldn’t stay in the sleeping positions for a long time then, I knew I needed to put my flare plan into action.

Scheduled downtime for other activities

Even when I can’t sleep during the nap, I still look forward to my rest time. Why? It’s my downtime. Okay, sure - it’s a ‘forced’ break time, but it’s still a break.

I know that I am going to do something I love like reading. I know that after my rest, I will be relaxed which means more energy, higher productivity, and more finished tasks. And, if it’s just a bad rheumatoid arthritis day, I will at least manage to get through the rest of the day.

Naptime is also alone time

One of the perks of my naptime is the alone time. Nobody, thankfully, bothers me when I am asleep. They don’t come into my room, they don’t wake me up, they don’t need anything from me. It’s me time. I don’t check my email, I don’t answer texts, I don’t go on social media. Nap/rest time is my downtime from life, in general.

It’s also a break from the pets (who I love dearly). They learned a long time ago I wouldn’t budge. Whatever they needed could wait a couple of hours. This is a point of contention with my dad.

The dogs (and cats) will wake him up at 4 or 5 in the morning to go out and play. I can sleep till noon and the pets sleep with me. My dad is very annoyed by this! This is why I always say never react to your pet. The one time you “react” and give them what they want, they’ve got you forever.

I look forward to naps

Anywho, I am off-topic...back to the nap. Naps are good. I love them. I embrace them. It took a long time for me to shake the feeling of unproductiveness (and, sometimes, that thought still creeps in). But, I really look forward to ‘me’ time. It is a rest in more than just the energy way.

I think people should add this break into their schedule. It can do a world of good even for those who do not have chronic illnesses like RA!

Do you nap?? LMK in the comments.