Naps Are Natural—and Helpful

In our home, we often remind our children: naps are healthy, natural, and normal. Whether five minutes or thirty, a brief pause can make all the difference. It supports emotional regulation, clearer thinking, and more consistent energy—care for the body and care for the mind in one simple practice. You don’t even need to fall asleep; just close your eyes and breathe.

What This Looks Like in Our Home

Most siestas happen sometime between noon and 4:00 p.m. We don’t follow a rigid schedule; we simply notice the cues and honor them. Here’s how it often unfolds:

• ✔️ Peter frequently drifts off on my lap during Claire’s art lesson, or rests in his car seat as we travel between extracurriculars.
• ✔️ Claire and Peter will rest together at home—five to ten quiet minutes on the sofa or bed with a light blanket.
• ✔️ Dad sometimes takes a restorative five minutes in the car after dropping us at the grocery store or while waiting during an activity.
• ✔️ Mom usually lies down with the children; if Dad has them outside playing after an activity, that becomes the perfect moment to take her five minutes.

Sometimes we rest together; sometimes we take turns. Either way, the siesta has become a gentle household rhythm—a small pause that elevates the rest of the day.

How to Make This Work for You

• ✔️ Start with a five‑minute timer and simply be still. Even without sleep, the pause itself is restorative.
• ✔️ Rest alongside your children when you can. It helps them settle and models the value of quiet moments.
• ✔️ If you’re on your own, treat this as a daily reset—a graceful interlude that carries you through the afternoon.

A few minutes of calm can change the tone of an entire day. Try it and notice how you feel afterward.

This Week’s Challenge

Take a siesta every day this week—5 to 30 minutes.
Lie down, close your eyes, and breathe. You don’t need sleep; you simply need stillness.