For anyone who has been following along on this blog, you'll appreciate that today was a day of rest after yesterday's overexertion on my bike. Surprisingly, I did not wake up as sore as I had expected but, regardless, I gave myself a day off from any meaningful kind of movement. Below is the view from my hammock; a beautiful place to read, write or just rest and breathe in fresh air.
Personally, I've always relished a good nap. But recently, I heard a friend say that she thought naps were a waste of time. What?!? I was stunned. It never occurred to me that someone might not view a 20 minute recharge as a useful tool. As long as the nap isn't too long, I always wake up feeling like it's a brand new day. The need for rest is well documented. From getting enough sleep at night to taking needed breaks from activities that stress our bodies or brains.
Sleep rejuvenates everything from our skin to our brains and is certainly a constant in the human experience. Whether you are a napper or not, adequate sleep restores our functioning and helps us process the next day better. Here are some sleep guidelines taken from the National Sleep Foundation website.
Newborns (0-3 months): 14-17 hours each day
Infants (4-11 months): 12-15 hours
Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours
Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours
School age children (6-13): 9-11 hours
Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours
Younger adults (18-25): 7-9 hours
Adults (26-64): 7-9 hours
Older adults (65+): 7-8 hours
Happy Napping!