March 2003
|
Reviewed by Lynne Lamberg |
|
Since Thomas Edison invented the light bulb in 1879, nighttime sleep for the average American has fallen from nine hours a night to just under seven. This book is a paean to naps. It's targeted mainly at women, who sleep less on average than men do. With paid jobs, childcare, household chores, and an array of communication devices, including computers and cell phones, we're never out of touch, Long argues, except perhaps with ourselves. Why nap? "Because I want to," is reason enough, she suggests. A 20- to 30-minute siesta midway between your usual wakeup time and bedtime, typically in midafternoon, she maintains, can spur creativity, and boost alertness and energy. Long includes a month-by-month plan of enticing recipes for naps with all the trimmings. Art work and botanical drawings enhance the text. March is spa time. Pour some sparkling mineral water and a few berries into a fancy flute and sip slowly, put some lavender in a pretty dish near your bed, slip out of your clothes and don a plush robe, turn on some tranquil music, and snuggle under a warm blanket. After you awaken, take a few moments to read a poem or page through an art book, a nice bridge to the bustle of everyday life. Even in a busy office, Long insists, it's often possible to pencil a catnap or "time out" into your daily calendar, and create a midday break for rest and restoration. Even if you can nap only on weekends, you may find that doing so can foster a positive message of self-care that carries over into the rest of your week. Long describes a variety of relaxation techniques that benefit both naps and nighttime sleep. Keep a written worry list, for example, to minimize replaying calamitous scenarios when you try to fall asleep. Use breathing exercises to distract yourself from sleep-stopping rumination. Try journaling for self-exploration and to get at the roots of self-defeating behaviors. Saying affirmations can benefit self-esteem. Long is a big advocate of exercise, particularly yoga, for which she's a certified instructor. She leads readers through some simple yoga poses. You probably don't need to be convinced of the value of naps; you need only to convince yourself to set aside the necessary time. Long's gentle exhortation may give you just the nudge you need. |
© 2003
WebSciences and Lynne Lamberg |
PERMISSION
TO NAP: