Remember when you were little, and you kept saying that you didn’t want a nap and that you were totally wide awake? Then you would fall asleep anyway on the couch? And if you didn’t get your nap in people would excuse your crankiness because little you hadn’t had their nap that day? Don’t you just miss it?

Flash forward to real (although some would argue this), university, life. You are in your two thirty class, your eyes begin to droop, you stifle a yawn, you try and think why you didn’t eat breakfast. Instead of the teacher’s words in your head there is a little cartoon of you, asleep, with a textbook attached to your face while you drool. … Well not gonna lie, that’s what happens to me. And the worst part? NO ONE excuses your crankiness just because you didn’t have a nap!

This is not a guide about how to nap properly, or when, or what you should do.

This is about why napping is a good thing, how it makes you feel better, and above and beyond anything it is about how some people can make the nap an artform! (I am very jealous of those people).

I would like to point out that most studies seem to be of the opinion that a 20 minute cat nap is good for you. From my experience it may be a refresher for about an hour, but in the long run it just doesn’t keep you awake.

In order to make napping an artform I feel I should give you some advice about how NOT to nap.

- Don’t get into your pjs and into bed, turn off the lights and put your ear plugs in. Your body will most likely be getting sleep signals and instead of that 45 minute “rest” period you will sleep for three hours, wake up disoriented and cranky, and the worst part, you wont be able to sleep until really late that night.

- At the same time, let your body get its rest!!! If you need an hour, take an hour!

- Don’t worry about falling asleep while reading. Don’t try and wake yourself up when you are just falling asleep over a book. If you are getting sleepy allow yourself that rest. You will probably be reading with the lights on and so your body will know it is not time for sleep and you will get a relaxing amount of sleep but not too much.

- Don’t complain about how tired you are to everyone around you! (Ok I know this has virtually nothing to do with napping but c’mon people! We are university students, it’s like our job to be tired)! Take a nap or go to bed earlier.

- Don’t plan your naps. I mean, if you want to fine, but I have found that if I set aside that time every day for a planned nap I can no longer sleep.

- Don’t nap too late in the day. This should be an obvious one but if you go to bed at 10 don’t start napping at 6.

- MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL to the Art of Napping: do not feel bad for napping. Our bodies go through a lot in the day. I don’t know where this stigma came from about napping during the day (maybe our internal big kids are like, “hey we are old, we don’t need to nap). Personally, the happiest people I know are people who take a nap at least twice or more times a week!

So ladies and gentlemen. I know this isn’t a guide to napping. But it should help to make your napping a perfect artform! … Actually I kind of feel like a nap right now…

1. Expect and accept that stress is going to be a part of your life: Ok so it’s unreasonable to think that you can avoid stress altogether. No matter who you are you’re going to be in situations that cause you stress. This is especially true for students as they deal with a lot of competition, deadlines and pressures in classes, studies, life goals and work. It’s an important time in our lives undoubtedly so really…if there aren’t stressful situations in your life it might actually be cause for concern. A little stress can be good if dealt with and used correctly (honestly! It can help you develop resilience, help you grow as a person or develop new skills or strengths and definitely help you to develop coping mechanisms).

2. Manage your time effectively/organize yourself: Often times I find myself making little mental notes of things I need to do…sometimes simple things like reply to emails, schedule a hair appointment, start that assignment, etc. When I’m making these mental notes, I think I’ll remember them before it’s too late…The problem is, even if you’re making note of little things they’re bound to add up and become a LOT of little things you’ve forgotten to do (or things you’ve forgotten altogether) and this can cause stress. So, make lists…I don’t mean you’re your room with thousands of little sticky-notes. I mean make one or two list(s) of the things you have deadlines for (maybe one for school and one for daily life), and note when things need to be done and when you want to do them (i.e. goals for the weekend). Another thing you can do is use a calendar and write due dates and when you need to do what (i.e. read 2 chapters Sat)…this being said…if you DO use a calendar, make sure you actually look at it. Also, make sure you’re not scheduling too much in short periods of time.

3. Know how to deal with stress when it arises: Here’s what I took from that lecture the other day. An optimistic individual will often live a less stressful life than a pessimist as they usually see stressful or unfortunate events as opportunities. They take the time to assess the situation and often determine it to be something that they can grow from and NOT something that happened to them because they ‘deserved’ it or something that is impossible to get over or that is destructive to all aspects of their life. This being said, my advice is, when you know you’re going to encounter a stressful situation: first, step back and assess the situation as a way to grow. Second, collect the resources you need to overcome it (ex: for an exam, go to class, take notes, read the chapters, give yourself time to do this all and create a study schedule so you’re ready for the exam when it comes). Third, if the outcome is bad, try and see it as a learning experience and something to work on and grow from and not as the end of the world. If the outcome is good…then celebrate!

4: Expect the unexpected: when things come up that you haven’t planned for (such as, an assignment you forgot was due, you’re called into work on short notice, the people in the apartment above you are having a loud party when you’re studying, etc.) you’re bound to get stressed, just remember to take a deep breath (maybe scream into a pillow or punch a punching bag to let it all out) then collect yourself and follow the steps just like any expected stressor. If you deal with an unexpected stressor the same way you deal with an expected one you’ll be fine.

5. Make time for yourself: Finally, with all the hassle of things to do, you’re bound to find yourself losing hold of your social life…now before you’re known as the friend M.I.A. step back and see if you’re making time for yourself. By this I mean, make time just to chill out for a bit. It doesn’t have to be anything extensive or often or for a long period of time, but make sure you do take breaks or you WILL burn out (believe me…take this advice from a fellow burning candle).