Sleep is vital for survival so a power nap may be essential

Sleep is VITAL for our survival… in fact it is more important than exercising, and what we choose to eat.

We need to remember that our bodies don’t shut down when we sleep. There are a whole lot of biological functions that ONLY happen when we sleep!

Our body may be at rest, but our brain... a complex organ of trillions of cells is in fact VERY HARD AT WORK.

As a Behavioural Strategist... I relish being in offices and working with teams, but I also love WFH.

I was on a 05h50 Cape Town to Joburg flight this morning, which meant a 03h50 wake up. Ouch. On these kinds of days... a Power-nap is my best friend.

In fact, to be honest even after a normal night's sleep and a civilised wake up time... I can sometimes need to break the day with a Power-nap.

Let's remember that Power-naps should either be 20 mins, or if necessary 90mins. On a weekday... I take the 20min one.

How to have a power-nap?
I go and get my sleep mask and a glass of water. I put the glass on a table, on the other side of the room... together with my mobile, which is set to go off 22 mins later.

I then snuggle up on my couch. My veranda couch gets the wonderful midday winter sun... just awesome!
I use the same sleep mask that I use every night... which is a great 'trigger' for sleep.

On the couch I wriggle until I am comfy and make a point of telling myself that it's ok NOT to fall asleep!
Permission to fail :-)

Probably about 8 times out of 10, I thankfully fall into a deep, beautiful sleep and actually dribble ...which is sublimely enjoyable!

Back to what I do…
I then use the 4-7-8 breathing technique:

• Breathe-in to the count of 4
• Hold my breath for 7 counts
• Then slowly (& audibly) breathe out through my mouth...for 8 counts. Invariably it's two or three rounds of this, and then I nod off.

I have been doing this for quite a few years ... so invariably I start to 'surface' before my mobile alarm goes off.

As it goes off... it is really important to get up straight away, and drink that glass of water. Take a few good, deep breaths and you WILL feel rejuvenated!

Power-napping is a must-have ‘tool' in your imaginary resilience toolbox !

Of course at home, it is easy, and you could have one during a 'lunch-break'. Is there 'such-a-thing' these days?

But, what about back in the office?
What are your thoughts on power-naps in the office?

#rejuvenation #freshbrain #resilience #bounceforward #selfcare

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