Does a nap hurt?

michelleepotter
michelleepotter Posts: 800 Member
edited December 21 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, and aside from working out, my days are pretty sedentary. I sit when I read to my kids; I sit when I'm teaching or listening to them practice reading or whatnot; I sit when I play board games with them. And then when I have free time, I'm sitting to read, or play on the computer, or play games on my phone. Most of my activity comes from exercising, cleaning, and cooking. So, this morning I went for a run with my son, and afterwards I was just exhausted. I wanted to take a nap, but I started wondering -- am I burning fewer calories taking a nap than if I was up, even if I was just sitting around? If I stayed awake there wasn't much for me to do; I'd probably play a card game with my kids. I'd be sitting in a chair, quietly thinking about my next move. How much of a difference is there, calorie-wise, between taking a nap and quietly playing cards? Would it be enough to negate going for a run? Would it make any difference at all?
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Replies

  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    I'm sure you burn a little less but it's probably like 5 calories.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
    I'd say drink a glass of water and nap if you're tired. But, if a nap interferes with your sleep at night, skip it. You'll have to try to know.
  • MelMena
    MelMena Posts: 152 Member
    I often take a nap on my yoga days. Yoga kicks my butt. I look at it this way...I'm not napping out of boredom, I'm napping because my body needs a rest period. I usually only nap for 15-20 minutes and I feel very refreshed afterwards.

    Now, my concern is always how much trouble can my kids get into WHILE I am napping!
  • angieleighbyrd
    angieleighbyrd Posts: 989 Member
    No matter how tired I am through the day, I don't nap.

    I don't know why, but napping ALWAYS makes me feel worse. I feel like death after a nap and it ruins my whole day.
  • sagetracey
    sagetracey Posts: 607 Member
    Listen to your body. If you need a nap after exercise then have one . As you get fitter and healthier,your body will cope and you won't need that nap to keep going.
  • jesusHchris
    jesusHchris Posts: 1,405 Member
    Your body repairs itself when you sleep. Sleep is encouraged when bodybuilding.

    How is that for scientific? Ha. Seriously though, do some Googling around on it.
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    I love to grab a nap during the day, I can sleep for England :happy:
  • Darlingir
    Darlingir Posts: 437
    I worked out hard today....I needed a nap...took one
  • JoeD1968
    JoeD1968 Posts: 167
    if naps hurt I would be dead already :laugh:
  • tabulator32
    tabulator32 Posts: 701 Member
    As long as you are getting some exercise, a little power nap never hurt anyone.
  • abigailmariecs
    abigailmariecs Posts: 192 Member
    No matter how tired I am through the day, I don't nap.

    I don't know why, but napping ALWAYS makes me feel worse. I feel like death after a nap and it ruins my whole day.

    This is me. I could be falling down exausted, up for the last 48 hours, and unless I am going to bed for the night you can forget the whole nap idea. Not only do I feel terrible, I am a grouch and the only thing I want to do is go back to bed. That being said. When I would pull insane shifts and have to do it on little to no sleep I would take two 7 min naps, enough that I feel like I got some rest but not enough to fall deeply asleep.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    I like naps.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I love a good nap after a run! :flowerforyou:
  • builtforlife
    builtforlife Posts: 259
    N it wouldnt make any difference just go ahead and take a nap, you'll have more energy for the rest of the day...just get a workout in. :)
  • CherokeeBabe
    CherokeeBabe Posts: 1,704 Member
    I am very strongly pro-nap.
  • itsjustdawn
    itsjustdawn Posts: 1,073 Member
    I.Love.Naps.
  • AngelRobbie
    AngelRobbie Posts: 153 Member
    I love naps. If I could take one every day, I would. As it is, I take a nap about 4 days a week. Like I said, I love them.
  • hailzp
    hailzp Posts: 903 Member
    Make sure you don't nap for too long, you will end up feeling worse. Most of the time 15-20 mins is enough, if not less :)
  • daves160
    daves160 Posts: 600
    Naps are good. Period!
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    Make sure you don't nap for too long, you will end up feeling worse. Most of the time 15-20 mins is enough, if not less :)
    Depends on the person. I could nap for hours and feel fine. Ah, naps.
  • LindaLouLu
    LindaLouLu Posts: 271 Member
    As long as you are getting some exercise, a little power nap never hurt anyone.

    What qualifies as a "Power nap"?? Probably not my 3 hour post workout nap, huh? :huh: :yawn:
  • mom2mozart
    mom2mozart Posts: 307 Member
    Naps never hurt me. I take one whenever I get an opportunity. Usually 1 or two times per week. They allow me to feel refreshed and really work my body.

    From what you describe, you could be tired from lack of physical activity. Have you considered changing your teaching routines? I bet your kids would enjoy opportunities to move their bodies during the day too. I am a teacher and mom, and my students and kids love opportunities to move their bodies. I hold yoga classes, dance sessions, we imitate animals, spin like twisters, and just generally act silly sometimes - for the sake of exercise. I test listening skills by having them run relay races when they hear certain sounds in language. With my own kids we take nature walks. I've pulled my little one in a wagon because he is not inclined to walk long distances - this is great exercise for ou. You will probably feel better if you tried to incorporate movement into your daily routine - and the kids would like it too.
  • ArtemisMoon
    ArtemisMoon Posts: 144
    Naps are very good for your body after being stressed and it will help you be more active the rest of the day. A cool afternoon nap after spending a morning washing and waxing my SUV in the hot FL weather is great in my book!

    And it is true, as you become more fit you will feel less of a need to nap and more able to get up and do things. Once upon a time I would doze every day after work for sometimes and hour or more. Now I hardly every snooze after work and usually get out and walk on breaks or walk on campus when I have class, go to the store, clean and work out after I get home. Having more energy is great! But I'll always have room in my heart for good afternoon nap on occasion. :)
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Hello,

    I am sahm also!! And homeschooling. This requires alot of attentiveness on our part! It is really wonderful you do so much with your children:happy: You definitely would not want to interrupt that!! At the same time, exercise is important!!

    The funny thing about lack of exercise is that soon you have less energy! Weird, but it is better to break that cycle and get some exercise in. When to exercise is the next question. What I have found is that I have more energy, overall, when I get up early and have less sleep, than if I sleep and don't exercise.

    The key to getting early morning exercise time, is to PLAN an early bedtime. Lights out, eyes closing, going to sleep at the appointed hour. For me, that is 9:30pm. I awaken naturally at 4am. Yes, 4am. And I LOVE it. I get to take a quick shower, jump into my gym clothes (which I set out, including shoes), protein drink (right now it's Designer Whey in water), and to the gym.

    I don't know the ages of your children, but when they are very young, they definitely keep you on call even through the sleeping hours. So developing a schedule which includes exercise for you depends on all that. Be patient and keep trying to fit it in. Developing an active time for yourself really pays off for you, as well as good eating habits.

    Definitely nothing wrong with a nap by the way:yawn: Maybe just set your alarm or timer and totally relax/sleep for a set time, then shower (weird, but often I like to shower before exercising), and get some time exercising. You will have increased energy the next time, as your body responds to the supply/demand dynamic.
  • saragato
    saragato Posts: 1,154
    If you're genuinely tired to the point where you really can't go without laying down for a bit, take a nap. Set a timer or alarm if you want, most people recommend a 20 minute power nap or an hour if you've got it. You don't need to sleep long to feel refreshed. Myself, I can wear myself out pretty good after 2-3 hours working out or staying busy and I take naps, but my body tends to never let me go past an hour or 2 hours if I'm dead on my feet.
  • january0876
    january0876 Posts: 2
    As with anything.... moderation. I think napping is ok, especially if your body needs it. Your body will tell you.
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    No matter how tired I am through the day, I don't nap.

    I don't know why, but napping ALWAYS makes me feel worse. I feel like death after a nap and it ruins my whole day.

    I'm the same way. Napping sucks lol. And if I sleep too late I feel the same way, so I've been lettin the hubby get all the sleep-in days lol.
  • JJananii
    JJananii Posts: 30 Member
    No matter how tired I am through the day, I don't nap.

    I don't know why, but napping ALWAYS makes me feel worse. I feel like death after a nap and it ruins my whole day.

    yes, me too. I'm completely miserable, and kinda scary, after a nap
  • EDesq
    EDesq Posts: 1,527 Member
    I'm a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, and aside from working out, my days are pretty sedentary. I sit when I read to my kids; I sit when I'm teaching or listening to them practice reading or whatnot; I sit when I play board games with them. And then when I have free time, I'm sitting to read, or play on the computer, or play games on my phone. Most of my activity comes from exercising, cleaning, and cooking. So, this morning I went for a run with my son, and afterwards I was just exhausted. I wanted to take a nap, but I started wondering -- am I burning fewer calories taking a nap than if I was up, even if I was just sitting around? If I stayed awake there wasn't much for me to do; I'd probably play a card game with my kids. I'd be sitting in a chair, quietly thinking about my next move. How much of a difference is there, calorie-wise, between taking a nap and quietly playing cards? Would it be enough to negate going for a run? Would it make any difference at all?

    You know, common sense must be used when doing anything...especially getting Healthy. Wellness/Good Health is not just physical...a nap can rejuvenate many areas of the life, so use your Best judgement. ALSO, I would think that as one who home-schools you would use this opportunity to teach your kids excellent eating and Exercise/Activity habits. I would think that Physical Activity would be an important part of your day. Heck, even in an office they suggest that we get up from our desk every hour for 10 minutes and stretch and do calisthenics.

    Since you have this opportunity, I would think that Nutrition would also be part of your curriculum...after all, here You are either getting fit or trying to stay fit, teach them too.
  • michelleepotter
    michelleepotter Posts: 800 Member
    Naps never hurt me. I take one whenever I get an opportunity. Usually 1 or two times per week. They allow me to feel refreshed and really work my body.

    From what you describe, you could be tired from lack of physical activity. Have you considered changing your teaching routines? I bet your kids would enjoy opportunities to move their bodies during the day too. I am a teacher and mom, and my students and kids love opportunities to move their bodies. I hold yoga classes, dance sessions, we imitate animals, spin like twisters, and just generally act silly sometimes - for the sake of exercise. I test listening skills by having them run relay races when they hear certain sounds in language. With my own kids we take nature walks. I've pulled my little one in a wagon because he is not inclined to walk long distances - this is great exercise for ou. You will probably feel better if you tried to incorporate movement into your daily routine - and the kids would like it too.

    I used to be constantly tired from lack of activity. Ever since I have started working out I have had a ton more energy, and I only needed a nap today because I pushed myself harder than usual. ;) I guess what I was trying to get across (and I over explained, as I always do) was that right then it was a choice between napping and sitting around -- I wouldn't have been doing anything very active right then anyway, because I didn't have anything active planned for right then.

    Luckily, my kids are naturally much more active than I am. Where I have to plan times of my day to be active and move around, they are CONSTANTLY moving, playing, running, dancing, etc. It's just that I have a tendency to sit on my butt and read while they do that, LOL.
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