Do you ever take a nap?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (59192)
May 30, 2026 5:46pm CST
I honestly hardly ever did, until the son was in the accident and sickly. I've always been a night owl my entire life, but I did sleep for a reasonable number of hours, at least for me. I never used to nap unless I was sickly myself, or had a dreaded, horrible migraine. But now, naps are often a must here.
I feel I can't sleep for the most part unless he is sleeping, at least not on what I would term his ''bad days'' because, well...I'm a Mom. It's what we do. He has had a number of emergencies and falls, so...like I said, it's what we do.
After lunch today, he commented that he was so tired. He sat in the recliner and was asleep in a few minutes, and I was surprised. I figured he would wake right up again (typical) but he didn't, so guess who hit the couch? Yep. And OH, did it feel nice. I have the ceiling fan on, and I slept, he slept, it was so wonderful. Yes, it may affect our sleep tonight, but I am way past worrying about that. To grab a few hours of uninterrupted rest was so wonderful.
I have to remember that napping is better than going for hours with no sleep...it refreshes me and helps so much.
It truly was a totally delicious nap!
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24 people like this
24 responses
@AmbiePam (120723)
• United States
31 May
For the longest time I couldn’t nap at all, and then the last few years have just been wonky. You learn when you have chronic illness to just take the sleep when you can. Don’t question it, just get that sleep.
Back when I was just starting to get sick (around 18, 19 years old), my dad would find me in bed in the middle of the day, and he would get mad. He’d say this is why you can’t sleep at night! He’d get so frustrated with me, and it took him a couple years to really understand you rest when you can, and you quit asking why.
I’m very glad you got such a good nap!
6 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
31 May
That's the best description I have heard yet--you literally do sleep when you can, because you need the sleep and you don't ask why. You just do it!
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (208874)
• United States
30 May
I bet it was so refreshing for both of you. I did nap one day about a week ago when I wasn't feeling well. It was a very long name like 4 hours..that is not usual at all for me..but I needed the rest and recovery.Nico napped with me, and he was happy as a clam.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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31 May
You must have picked up a one day long ''bug'' from somewhere, I know you usually keep busy all day long. I imagine Nico did enjoy his extra nap with Mom!
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (56207)
• Canada
31 May
I napped for 20 minutes this afternoon.
I was up super early this morning and busy all morning long, and like at your house, my husband fell asleep in the recliner, and he slept for a while, and then I went off to bed to lie down for 20 and feel great after that.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
31 May
It takes me at least 20 minutes to go to sleep, so I need longer than that, I guess. But I am glad you got your power nap in!
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (56207)
• Canada
31 May
@MarieCoyle I couldn't sleep longer than that, if I cannot nod off immediately then I am not tired enough for a nap.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
1 Jun
@Juliaacv
I have never been able to just drop off to sleep quickly. I wish! I just can't seem to manage it.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502429)
• Italy
1 Jun
@MarieCoyle - I stopped for a moment, sit in our bedroom to read a book and I was well later in the day.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
@LadyDuck
Sometimes, just a bit of time for ourselves, even a few minutes, helps when we are tired or stressed.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
I hope you took a bit of time to rest, Anna, and that you feel better. I really hate having headaches and I know that allergies can definitely make them worse.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28380)
• Singapore
1 Jun
@MarieCoyle I see some taking a nap in a reclining chair with footrest.
They feel guilty to lie down and nap like I do.
Sleeping and even napping takes me to another world and I do like waking up to this chaotic but still love filled one anytime!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
1 Jun
@Shiva49
The state of the world is a huge concern for all of us. We all need to try to make our own little corner as peaceful and good as we can. And it’s hard.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
A nap every day. Now, I'm jealous!
Seriously, I am glad that you can do that.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
31 May
You are allowed to take naps at work, or am I misunderstanding that somehow? I do agree that it sure does help me to reboot, as you say. That was the most awesome nap ever!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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31 May
@Jehanne
That's simply amazing to me. I have never known any employer here that allowed naps! Very nice, indeed.
2 people like this
@Jehanne (1924)
• Philippines
31 May
@MarieCoyle yes! we are allowed to take nap at work. You heard me right 
Our supervisor allowed us to take a nap in between work when we needed to. yay!
Our supervisor allowed us to take a nap in between work when we needed to. yay!2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
31 May
I rarely take a deliberate laying down nap. If I do my brain never seems to come back in focus otherwise. I do doze off in various chairs. The desk chair, my arm chair, etc. That is usually more like a "blink". Five minutes or less. I know I may find myself needing more if Bob has restless nights. Right now he does not.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
Oh, I can do the sit down on the couch nap if I let myself...but I do better to just lie down on the couch. I know those restless nights can be draining. Hang in there, sweetie.
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
31 May
I've been that way with the kids for as long as I can recall. I always have to be sure they are a sleep before I can finally go to sleep.
When you are really tired a nice nap is so nice. The fan makes that rhythmic noise that helps to pull you off to sleepy ville. Your body needed it.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jun
@MarieCoyle ..........hope you have some nice ones.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
1 Jun
My ceiling fans are really quiet, I can barely hear them and neither can my son.
I just love naps! Thank you.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86661)
• United States
31 May
I take naps between my naps before bedtime! 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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31 May
Those naps are probably very short naps...I know you aren't one bit lazy!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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31 May
@FourWalls
I know I have a tendency to sometimes overdo or exceed my physical limits. I’ve been trying to do better with that. I expect too much of myself at times and of course even though I know I get older every year, in my head I still have endless energy…which we know isn’t true!!!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135722)
• Marion, Ohio
31 May
I have at times. Usually when I don't feel good but also when I have been taking care of someone
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
1 Jun
We can only run on empty for so long...after a while, rest is an absolute must.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97990)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 May
Not always but occasionally I lay down in the afternoon to read and also take a short nap,
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (97990)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Jun
@MarieCoyle for me it eases any anxiety I might have building up and I call it "unnoodling" the nerves or making them limp,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
I find naps very energizing. A quick recharge and it really helps the body and the spirit.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (11328)
• United Kingdom
31 May
I have been napping a lot this last week as I’ve a dreadful cough that has kept me up…..I keep nodding off during the day.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
Oh, you poor thing! I absolutely hate it when I have a bad cough, because at night they are just always worse. It's hard to rest when you cough all night. Hope you feel better soon!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122132)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
30 May
I usually take naps early in the morning after I go to the bathroom for a short period of time.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122132)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
31 May
@MarieCoyle It is a good plan for me.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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31 May
@Deepizzaguy
Sometimes I know I push myself too hard. I’m working on that problem. 
2 people like this
@Shasha_ (1333)
• Porto, Portugal
31 May
I completely agree—there is absolutely nothing better than a truly delicious, guilt-free nap! You are doing an incredible job caring for your son, and grabbing those well-deserved moments of rest is so important. Enjoy that refreshed feeling, and don't worry about tonight—you earned every single minute of it!
Anyway, I always nap for about 30 minutes in the afternoon.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
1 Jun
Naps help so many people to regroup and move forward with the day. I wonder why we only nap when we are babies? Maybe the world should just take a nap every day! Wouldn't that be nice?
Thanks so much for your kind words.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
@Shasha_
I know. Just think, it would be a short time of peace, and maybe lead to more positivity. And I am definitely all for that!
1 person likes this
@Shasha_ (1333)
• Porto, Portugal
1 Jun
@MarieCoyle I love this idea so much, and you are absolutely onto something! A global daily nap break sounds like total bliss.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (141906)
• Philippines
4 Jun
@MarieCoyle He is seven years old. But I need to keep looking at him secondary to having mild autism. I agree that we can have a power nap in between on a particular day.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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3 Jun
How old is your nephew? It's good you can take a nap!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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4 Jun
@Shavkat
Yes, he no doubt has need of your guidance at times, he is very young.
Power naps are wonderful!
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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2 Jun
Naps can really perk me up! I wouldn't mind a few more naps in my future.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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4 Jun
@rakski
Naps are just good for me. I think we might all benefit from a little nap more often if we can work it in.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun
I can and do take naps anywhere and everywhere. I can literally take a 5-minute Power Nap in the middle of WWIII and wake feeling rested and relaxed and ready to take on the world.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Jun
@MarieCoyle I am definitely one of those people! When my body decides it wants a nap, nothing else matters. Somebody can be running a jackhammer right next to my ear and I’ll still be able to fall asleep!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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4 Jun
@moffittjc
My best friend is like that. She is so, so hard to wake up when she's tired. We tease her sometimes and say a freight train could come roaring through her bedroom and she would sleep right through it. Oh, that would be a good sleep, for sure@
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
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1 Jun
@moffittjc
For some reason, I am not surprised at this. People who have endless energy often can crash at the drop of the hat, because they are so active. You are definitely one of those people, Jeff!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (59192)
•
31 May
I never napped when I could get a decent night of sleep. But now it's basically a crapshoot, so I take what sleep I can get!
When you have jerks when trying to get to sleep, they are called hypnic jerks. My aunt had this problem for years...supposedly it can be caused by excessive caffeine before bedtime, stress, and happens more to people who are extremely tired. I know she fought it for years. I hauled her to the doctor several times with this, I cannot remember what it was, but he did give her a medication that seemed to help her then.
1 person likes this
