Naps
Written by clive on 1:28 AMAs a general rule, insomniacs would be wise to avoid napping. Naps only reinforce your poor nighttime sleep routine. There are some exceptions, however.
Much of napping's benefits depends on the time of day the nap is taken. This relates to your body's circadian rhythm, which varies greatly with each individual. A ten-minute to twenty-minute nap may refresh your midday, without affecting your nighttime sleepiness. You might experiment to find the best time for such a catnap, if you find it helpful. If you work odd hours, you may also find yourself in need of a refresher or a break between different activities. But in general, naps should not be used to replace lost and broken sleep. Studies show that napping cannot substitute for a solid night of good sleep.
Don't let yourself use naps to avoid certain tasks or to compensate for feelings of despair and depression. If you have an underlying problem such as depression, naps can often be draining instead of refreshing. They also do little to help solve your problem - the depression, the unpleasant tasks, or the insomnia. Work on staying up during the day, and you'll be more likely to sleep during the night.
On the pro side of napping, if you feel yourself getting anxious about not getting enough sleep at night, a short nap may be reassuring. James Kiley, Ph.D., Director if the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research comments on napping and the elderly. In the National Institute of Health's Word on Health issue (June 1998), he says that "With older people in particular, napping is a good practice. Because their sleep is fragmented and they get less of it at night, they typically make up for it with naps during the day." He goes on to say that napping can increase productivity and help restore your ability to think.
OUTWITTING INSOMNIA, ELLEN MOHR CATALANO
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