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Loving/ Needing an afternoon nap

(63 Posts)
Bea65 Thu 07-Nov-24 17:07:55

Since unplanned retirement end of JANUARY 24, I seem to need a nap in the afternoons… I’m not babysitting or volunteering so don’t think it’s a physical problem- am aware I do suffer with seasonal affective anxiety disorder and am tired/fatigued most of the time.. have emotional issues re my brothers terminal illness and also my AC has recently relocated to NYC for work contract..
As soon as it’s dark @16:30 I want to nap. Have bought a light ball which shows intermittent colours supposed to improve mood - not working for me .. anyone else needing more sleep or naps at this time and what works for you?

Janiepops Thu 07-Nov-24 18:43:00

I have to have an afternoon nap, I LOVE it! Quiet, cosy warm, drifting off, it’s like a drug! I go to bed about 2am, up around 11am, so a ‘zizz’ around 3/4ish is perfect , (I am 72)
enjoy whatever you do Bea, it’s your life to live your way 👍

Georgesgran Thu 07-Nov-24 18:48:29

What ever you fancy, I suppose.

I’m 73, never nap - as an adult, never have.

TerriBull Thu 07-Nov-24 18:55:27

Sometimes I fall asleep in the afternoon, usually only for about ten minutes, sometimes I fall asleep watching something in the evening, more so now the clocks have gone back. Like others who have come on various threads to talk about their insomnia, that's it! I often have a night of tossing and turning. My attitude therefore, is grab these moments and relish them, our bodies are telling us, it's what we need.

Fleurpepper Thu 07-Nov-24 19:01:54

Georgesgran

What ever you fancy, I suppose.

I’m 73, never nap - as an adult, never have.

same here. When I had Covid a few years back, I did have a nap a few days- but never before and never since.

Babs03 Thu 07-Nov-24 19:07:25

I only sleep during the day if ill, have never been able to nap though my OH loves it. If I do attempt to do this I tend to wake up feeling disorientated and headachey.

Baggs Thu 07-Nov-24 19:10:54

I love naps. Always have. I don't take a nap every day, just when I feel I need one. This afternoon two hours. I had been up since 0300 though and had had a busy morning.

Aveline Thu 07-Nov-24 19:19:55

Sometimes I just drop off to sleep in the afternoon. It's lovely. Feels like a treat.

Oreo Thu 07-Nov-24 19:23:43

If I’m home and not busy ( rare) then I often drop off while reading or even ordering on Amazon😂it just happens but never lasts more than 20 mins.Power naps!

MissInterpreted Thu 07-Nov-24 19:25:47

Georgesgran

What ever you fancy, I suppose.

I’m 73, never nap - as an adult, never have.

I'm the same - can't nap during the day and never have. The rest of the family, however, could win gold medals at napping! I'm definitely the odd one out!

Allsorts Thu 07-Nov-24 19:38:04

I couldn't nap but if its what you want, why not?,

pascal30 Thu 07-Nov-24 19:47:38

Think of it as a siesta without the sun!!

CanadianGran Thu 07-Nov-24 19:51:31

Bea65 it could be that the quality of your nighttime sleep has decreased, so you may not be getting enough of a deep sleep. If you feel the need to nap, then go for it.

I don't nap often, but a Sunday afternoon nap, knowing all the chores are done and a roast is in the oven, feels really luxurious.

Greyduster Thu 07-Nov-24 20:11:19

I can’t sleep during the day, no matter how tired I am - never have been able to. Can’t sleep in a car either. I sometimes think that if I could have an afternoon catnap, I wouldn’t be falling asleep after tea!

chocolatepeanuts Thu 07-Nov-24 20:18:11

Sometimes I need a nap of 10-15 minutes to power me for the rest of the day. I used to do it often. Then got diagnosed with IBD. Now I rarely nap. My need to nap depends on how well my body is managing the IBD.

Nothing wrong with a nap, of course. I just wondered why I sometimes needed it so much and got an answer.

watermeadow Thu 07-Nov-24 20:46:31

I have a nap on most days but usually about 20 minutes. I get up very early and changing the clocks takes me weeks to get used to. I’m currently up at 4ish and I need a nap by 11. Ridiculous times but that’s my natural bodyclock.

Jaxjacky Thu 07-Nov-24 21:04:45

I’ve done it once, I was jet lagged after 33 hours awake, but I do sleep well at night. MrJ cat naps, he then has a second wind, there are days I’m envious.

Harris27 Thu 07-Nov-24 21:20:53

I’m still working and don’t have enough quality sleep often fall asleep watching tv around 9 pm .

Primrose53 Thu 07-Nov-24 21:37:36

My late Mum got into a pattern of going to bed after lunch every day for 1-2 hours. This followed surgery for bowel cancer. She was about 80 then and needed this sleep until she died at 97.

I had a neighbour who lived to 95 and she had a nap in her recliner chair every afternoon. She told me her father lived to 100 but from the time he retired until his death he got undressed, put on his pyjamas and had a good sleep in bed every afternoon.

HelterSkelter1 Thu 07-Nov-24 21:39:58

If you have worries, which you have, maybe you are not getting good sleep at night. Could you try and have a short nap afer lunch. Napping at 4.30 would be too close to bedtime and may affect your sleep even more.

It's getting colder and the days have been grey. You are going into hibernation mode!! Regard a 2.00 nap as a treat. Get warm and comfortable and have a cup of tea when you wake up. You may only need to do it for a week or 2.

travelsafar Thu 07-Nov-24 21:51:50

I love a little 'nana nap' in the afternoon. Usually it happens whilst watching TV especially if I have been up early and had a busy morning. It's usually only for 20mins but it refreshes me for the rest of the day and evening.😴😴

biglouis Thu 07-Nov-24 22:09:03

I rarely sleep for more than 4/5 hours at night so I have a nap every afternoon. Ive never had regular sleep habits.

Last night I was up until 6 am packing customer orders and then slept til 11 am. When the postie came to collect he was a new one and apologised for disturbing me because he thought I was still in my nightie. I was wearing a kaftan and seldom wear anything else nowadays.

Retirement is about doing what you want to do and doing it guilt free. Just over 5 more weeks before I shup up shop for the holiday.

lixy Thu 07-Nov-24 22:18:57

We have had a ‘quiet time’ after lunch since our own children were small, reading a book or napping. Children, and now Gchn, respect this peaceful 30 minutes or so and the older 2 Gchn look forward to it as part of the peculiarities of life at G’ma’s.
It’s something we couldn’t do on working days of course, but at home it’s a time to recharge the batteries.

There is something known as the 4 o’clock dip - a danger time for dieters reaching for the biscuit tin as blood sugars fall. Maybe a snack would help, but I’d embrace the nap if I were you Bea65.

SparklyGrandma Thu 07-Nov-24 22:28:03

A natural nap in the afternoon is gorgeous and soothing…

Catterygirl Fri 08-Nov-24 00:35:07

Lived in Spain for many a year and got used to a siesta. That’s why I am awake on Gransnet at 00.30.
Nobody is judging. Do what feels right for you. People in the Mediterranean live longer than us. Just saying. The builders who built our pool and patio stopped work at 9.30, had a smoke, a bacon type baguette and a glass of red wine. They seemed fit as a butcher’s dog.