A nap is a short period of sleep, usually in the day time. Naps are frequently taken when one becomes drowsy during the day or otherwise wants to feel awake at a later period of time that day. They are also often frequently taken by small children.
Naps are great on Sunday afternoon…
Image: 1993 Alyssa (my daughter) and her dad (my ex-husband)
Image: 1995 Brittany (my niece)
A few sleeping facts:
The Harvard-run Nurses’ Health Study has linked insufficient or irregular sleep to an increased risk for heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer. Erratic sleep has also been researched by other groups that link protein and hormone production fluctuations as a contributing factor associated with these diseases.
“We have in our society this idea that you can just get by without sleep or manipulate when you sleep without any consequences,” said Lawrence Epstein, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “What we’re finding is that’s just not true.”
Sleep deprivation is associated with numerous medical illnesses and some serious problems including:
- High blood pressure
Heart attack
Stroke
Obesity
Psychiatric problems including depression
Poor quality of life
Stressed relationships
Consistent lethargy
Mental impairment/loss of memory
Shortened attention span
Occupational Injury
Automobile Injury
Diabetes
Sexual dysfunction
Increases perception of pain
How Much Sleep Do You Need?
| 1-4 Weeks Old | 15 ½ – 16 ½ hours per day |
| 1-4 Months Old | 14 ½ – 15 ½ hours per day |
| 4-12 Months Old | 14 – 15 hours per day |
| 1-3 Years Old | 12 – 14 hours per day |
| 3-6 Years Old | 10 ¾ – 12 hours per day |
| 7-12 Years Old | 10 – 11 hours per day |
| 12-18 Years Old | 8 ¼ – 9 ½ hours per day |
| Most Adults | 7 – 8 hours per night |
at http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52143
Do you need to change your sleeping habits or are you getting enough rest each day?
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I definitely do not get enough sleep!
the good thing about sleep is that you can catch up…that's what I do on the weekends because I run up a serious deficit during the week
p.s. I just love looking at the sleeping beauties!
Great post and what heavenly pictures. Sleep is something I know all too well, I suffer from a sleep deprived epilepsy and so if I do not get my beauty sleep, someone doesn't cope well with it. I'm used to it, I just need my sleep and ensure I get enough. (mostly)
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Thank you so much for posting this! I could not tell you the last time that I had a good night's sleep. I always wake so tired!
…stopping by from SITS…
Steph @ Stick It in the Fridge
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Hi! Saw you again in the SITS comment box. Have a great weekend.
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I get 8 to 9 every night. I would love 10…wish I didn't need so much, but that is always the way I have been!
I never get enough sleep. I really enjoy a Sunday afternoon nap!
I do get enough sleep according to this chart, but I rarely *feel* like I've gotten enough. I'm always tired. But I suppose that's a side effect of having young children. When does it go away?!?!
uh….*yawn* i just woke up after viewing that fabulously soothing video. man, *yawn* …sorry….i so enjoy the ocean. nothing *wide yawn* relaxes like the sound of waves. i'm going to bed. LOL! great blog — i'm off to read more after i drink a cup of coffee. NOT.
I read that about lack of sleep causing obesity recently and I wondered…so if given the choice between going to the gym or taking a nap, does that mean it's better for me to take a nap?
Sleep is a beautiful thing, so is that picture of your daughter with her Dad.