NAPPING


SARK (1999). Change Your Life Without Getting Out of Bed: 

                        The ULtimate Nap Book


SARK is a pen name for Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy. SARK is a self-made artist and writer (i could not find information about her education)...she became famous for a poster called, "How to be an Artist" (i have the poster hanging near my computer as i write)...she's authored 16 books as of 2024, many of which are best sellers...she is the CEO of a successful organization called "Planet SARK," a remake of a previous organization that didn't do as well in the early 1990's.

In this book about naps (she never defines what a nap is, but after reading the book, i would say a nap is "resting"--not necessarily sleeping but could be--outside of the regular longer period of sleep that accompanies most people's nocturnal rhythm).

SARK makes the following claims: 

  • Naps are good for us
  • Naps help us integrate information and experiences
  • Naps allow us to dream, to enter the subconscious realm
  • Naps can generate create ideas 
  • Naps can help us solve problems/puzzels/issues
  • Naps refresh the body and mind

Most adults need permission to nap...there was a time, for many of us in kindergarten, when we had a regular "nap time" after story time and some cookies and milk or juice--why did this not continue in first grade on up? At the end of each chapter, SARK provides "permission to nap" based on the theme of the chapter.

The book is filled with wonderous colored pictures, quotes, suggestions, and stories...a fun read.


To NAP:

  • dress comfy with loose clothes (or if the temperature and space is appropriate, partial or no clothes) create a secure, safe, comfortable, cozy place with soft things like pillows, blankets, stuffed animals (or real ones like cats and dogs) where you can "rest easy" for as long as you need to.
  • experiment with different times of day, places (inside and outside), moods, and lengths of nap (from the micro one minute nap to napping for hours or until you feel sufficiently rested).
  • quick start: read a fun children's story, bake some homemade cookies and have tea...the traditional "tea time," then nap until you feel well rested.



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