Continuing on my theme (from the last posting) of stress reduction, one of the major sources of stress is lack of sleep. That can be caused by quantity or quality (i.e. you sleep but not very well). So I could tell you to try to get more and better sleep – and you should – but instead I’m going to suggest a time-tested ‘quick fix’ – The Nap. And I can do no better than to refer you to this terrific little piece from the Boston Globe.
Over 75% of us are sleep-deprived. Siestas, catnaps, whatever you want to call them, short naps are a wonderful tool for boosting
- productivity
- learning
- alertness
- creativity
- mood
Believe it or not, they reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, excess weight gain. Naps actually make you smarter, safer and healthier. Even a 6-minute nap is said to improve your productivity substantially.
Naps also help your poor overworked adrenals, those walnut-sized glands on top of your kidneys that pump out so much adrenaline and cortisol when you’re stressed. Give ‘em a break – along with the rest of your mind and body!
So, why aren’t you napping? Well, like anything intentional, you need to plan for it. Yes, plan to nap. That means not only carve out a time of day but also a place and, if you need them, sleep aids like a walkman with soft music, headphones, eyeshades, maybe even a pillow or your favorite blankey 
