by Sally Chambers
Glimpses and Guidance from the Garrett
Have you just been reminded by that women's magazine on the table that says you need to get your "beauty sleep?" and you know there's no way that's happening? Are you exhausted from conquering cobwebs, creating casseroles, chasing children, and the million other things you have to do every day?
I remember the times when I was exactly that, exhausted and complaining to my mother that 24/7 just wasn't enough. Wise woman that she was, she handed down some sage advice.
"Take naps when your children do."
No, I'm not encouraging you to sleep less, but I am discouraging you from worrying about when you sleep.
It's said that Ben Franklin only slept two to five hours a night, but he caught up on his lost sleep with cat-naps during the day.
Call it a power nap, siesta, or a kid-nap, it adds up to a smoother day. When I followed my mom's suggestion, I had much more energy, my "off-with-their-heads" mood vanished, and even though there was still dust in the corners, I don't think a soul noticed but me.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 NKJV
What lovely encouragement. Thanks, Sally. I know I often feel sleep deprived, but I seldom sneak naps. And you're right when you say that a tired mommy has the temperament of an ax murderer.
ReplyDeleteI've never been a napper, but I can't seem to go to sleep late at night anymore, so I've been napping during the day with the kids and doing work at night. Seems to be working for me.
ReplyDeleteI have never been a napper either, after years of living in a home where napping was dubbed as 'lazy.' But I have learned to make myself go to sleep earlier, to turn off the tv and to sleep in when I can, instead of jumping up at a run as soon as I hear the birds chirping on Saturdays.
ReplyDeleteI used to wear my lack of sleep like a badge of honr, because I can get by on 4-5 hours. I thought it meant I was a dynamo, burning more calories, etc. No. I have learned that the more sleep our body has, the better it operates and the more efficient.
If I wake up in the middle of the night and weigh myself, I always weigh less at 6 or 7 or 8am when I get up for real. Who knew.