New power nap

I’ve taken power naps for years.

Within my immediate family, I was “famous” for taking a 10-minute nap, during the work week, almost immediately on returning home.

I would stretch out on my recliner, set an alarm, breathe deeply, acknowledge that I was about to drift off, and then do just that.

10-minutes later I was refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for the remainder of the day.

There’s a lot written on power napping.

Some feel the ideal amount of time is 10-20 minutes, to obtain the benefits of sleep, without leaving you feeling groggy on awakening or adversely affecting your ability to later initiate or sleep through the night.

There’s even a frequently viewed video, by former Navy Seal Jocko Willink, on the 8-minute Navy Seal nap.

I never tried to do just 8-minutes-I always preferred to remain in double digits!

Since retiring, however, I haven’t set an alarm and my power naps have increased to about 40-60 minutes.

My work was typically stressful, so that’s no longer an excuse for napping.

I’ve been exercising a lot and have had aches and pains.

No one has asked (mainly, because no one has observed), but if they were to inquire, that’s currently my primary excuse.

My dog, Dwight, who always sleeps on my lap, hasn’t minded one iota.

I admit feeling groggy some days on awakening, but haven’t felt inclined to set an alarm, nor have I had any trouble later initiating or sleeping through the night.

I suspect this will continue as my new-retirement-power-nap norm for the foreseeable future!