In many countries, an afternoon nap is still the norm. And I just happen to live in one of them! Something that just isn´t considered normal in North America is completely fine here in Guatemala and you know, it really does help with productivity.

The majority of work at home moms just don´t get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to a lot of nasty issues, as I´ve recently discovered in my research, including:

• Weight gain (can I blame this instead of too much chocolate?)
• Higher stress levels
• Lowered productivity
• Memory loss
• Impaired physical and mental function, with effects similar to drunkeness

Of course, moms in general don´t get a lot of sleep, it´s part of the job. But if you work at home, you have the added advantage of being able to crash when your kids do.

If you have more than one child, it´s a great idea to get them on the same schedule so you can crash when they do. And, if your little ones are nap resistant, consider having them take an hour long “rest time” in the afternoon. Of course, older kids will be at school, providing the perfect opportunity for a nap.

Afternoon Nap Tips

•  Keep it short. More than an hour and you´re risking waking up groggy again and not sleeping at night.
• Only nap if you are actually tired. This might not be necessary every day.
• Don´t nap in a chair. Lay down on your bed or you could end up with cricks in odd places.
• Tranquilize your mind. Write down all the things you need to do or worry about before taking a nap so you won´t waste the time thinking.
• Keep it quiet. A fan can be a great help to block out external noise that is so common during the day.
• Drink some water. Rehydrate immediately after a nap for a bit of a boost.
• Have a snack. Add oomph to the power of a nap by eating a handful of nuts or a banana immediately after waking up and you´ll find you have a lot more energy.

There´s no need to feel guilty about having a nap because you´ll be far more productive if you are semi-rested than you are when dragging through the day just trying to keep your eyes open!

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