Nap time, who has time for a nap?

Do you take naps? Besides when you are pregnant?

Naps can be very refreshing in the middle of the day. But, really who has time for one? You just have to push through that hump and get everything done... What if you could take a 26 minute nap and feel totally refreshed and really ready to complete your 'to do' list?

Nap26 is a solution to the needed sleep and refreshment we could all use in the middle of the day but don't have the time. Nap26 "uses binaural beats to train the brain to relax and to awaken without the risk of grogginess. A scientific digital modulation process inserts precise pulses and beats that the brain hears." It sounds like you are listening to a waterfall/white noise. This is a nice way to fall asleep and distract you from that gosh darn list.

The great part is that it works, and it wakes you up 26 minutes later. I have done this so many times and almost every time I wake up thinking that I didn't go to sleep and that it didn't work because my ipod is silent. Funny thing is that when I look at it- I realize that it completed the 26 minutes and now I am awake just like it says it is to work. I have shared this when many people and they have had the same experience- thinking that it didn't work and then realizing the 26 minutes has passed.

Why nap?
"Frequent and regular short-term naps under 30 minutes have been shown to:

• Increase Performance and Productivity
• Improve Ability to Concentrate and Focus
• Reduce Stress and Moodiness
• Improve Health & Vitality
• Improve capacity for Memory & Learning
• Stimulate Boost Creativity"


Note: Must be used with ear phones.
Cost: $15

Keep a look out for a Nap26 Give-a-way

And check-out Easy2Sleep- another product that helps you relax and fall into a deep sleep.

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: My oldest child is going to be in first grade and gets out of school at 2:30pm, my youngest child usually takes a nap from 1:30 until 4pm. How can my youngest get his nap, and my oldest get picked up from school?

A: There may not be a perfect solution to this problem, but here are some ideas:
-Find someone to carpool with. You take the kids to school, and she can bring them home. Protecting the afternoon nap.
-Have a relative stay at the house while you go pick up your oldest. Again, protecting the afternoon nap.
-Try having your youngest take the nap earlier, and then wake him up to go to the pick-up. Or have him take it later, get there early, so you can get out of the parking lot back-up quickly and home to start the nap (this may push back bedtime too late, where the earlier nap may make bedtime earlier).
-Since sleep debt is cumulative, if he is missing sleep time during the week, make sure he has really good naps on the weekends... Try to make sure he gets the needed amount of sleep regardless.

Any other ideas? I am sure plenty of moms have had to deal with this one.

Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: I need to run errands in the morning with my baby and my kindergartner. My baby really still needs a morning nap. How do I get my baby the sleep he needs and get my errands done?

A: You may not like my answer, but don't skip your baby's needed nap! Figuring out another plan...
Ideas:
-Go to the store at night if you have someone that can be at home when the kids are asleep.
-Shop online as much as you can.
-Bring lunch with you to the errands and go after your baby's nap time. Think less clean up too.
-Go after your baby's afternoon nap. More crowds, but it is usually a funky time for kids and may be nice to get out.
-Get a babysitter once a week for a few hours and get all your errands done sans kids. It is much quicker and may be some nice quiet time for you.
-Consolidate errands, so you can spend less time out during the week.