Napping: An Olympic Sport

Everyone is into physical fitness these days. Why? Are they planning on going to the Olympics? If not, why bother getting physical at all? Any time I see a person running, they look like they are in pain. Maybe, in the case of men, their jock strap is too tight or in the case of women, their thong underwear got stuck. In either case, the thought of going out the door and running makes me cringe. It’s a paradoxical experience called forced fun.

I would much rather take a power nap, stretching out in a hammock with a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade, watching the clouds roll by, slowly drifting off into La La Land. Listening to the birds chirping and smelling the flowering linden trees in the adjacent woods, makes the napping experience even more enjoyable.

When we were children, my brother and I used to make fun of Dad because he used to love taking naps. We never understood why he napped so much. He didn’t even need a hammock. We would find him snoozing and snoring just about anywhere. Now I know why. It just plain feels good. Apparently this apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

My grandchildren wouldn’t take a nap if you paid them. They are so busy all the time. They don’t understand why any sane adult would want to take a nap if they don’t have to.

I was at the grocery store observing the behavior of a boy about two years old. He was screaming, as his mother quietly told him that when they got home he had to take a nap. It was obvious he needed a nap, but shrieked at his mother when she suggested it. As I strolled by with my grocery cart, I nonchalantly told the boy that as soon as I got home from the store, I was going to take a nap. The kid looked at me like I had three heads, but he stopped crying and appeared to be mulling over the idea that maybe taking a nap would be cool thing to do. At least he stopped screaming. Mom whispered, “Thank you, I would love to take a nap myself.”

So you see folks, taking naps is actually very popular. Don’t let anyone guilt trip you into not taking one. If done the right way, it could be the next Olympic sport. Put those jock straps and thongs away, throw those running shoes in the back of the closet, and grab a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade. Head out to the nearest hammock or lawn chair and watch those clouds roll by.

Copyright © 2006 by Pamela Beers. All rights reserved.

Pamela Beers is a freelance writer, educator, and horse trainer who loves taking naps when she gets a chance. You can visit her website at http://www.pamelabeers.com