20 minute naps

Thomas Edison hardly slept at all, except in 20-minute naps. Mark Twain was noted for his insomnia, but was always dozing off at public functions. So what's the relationship or the secret between 40 winks of nap time and a person's creativity?

Scientists have proven in recent years that the human body requires only as much sleep as the brain will allow it. In other words, so long as the brain is functioning at full capacity, there's no great requirement for sleep. The big thing is that the brain needs a rest every now and then, and apparently, the brain can refresh itself and go on "like with a full tank of gas" with just a short, 20 minute nap.

Regardless of all the relaxation techniques that are popular today, sleep is still the most refreshing and healthful relaxation of all to most people. Even so, the quick 40 winks between appointments or meetings can refresh and rejuvenate almost anyone as much as 8 hours of sleep.

Throughout history, busy, pressured men have all shared in the ability to take a break from whatever the problems of the moment were, in order to refresh themselves with a short nap. For problem solvers, trouble-shooters, writers and other people doing creative or intellectual work, the benefits of a short 20 minute nap can be similar to a transfusion of blood plasma.

These short 20 minute naps for people who are really engrossed in their work, almost always provide a fresh burst of new ideas and energy. They tend to eliminate the need for caffeine boosts during the workday. And, they guarantee a reserve of energy so that the working day isn't followed by an evening in which he falls asleep on the couch watching TV or at a social event.

To take advantage of the mental rejuvenation benefits inherent in a 20 minute nap, all you need is an uninterrupted 20 minutes. If you're working in an office, take your phone off the hook or disconnect it from the wall plug. Hang a sign on your door and instruct your secretary that you're not to be disturbed for 20 minutes. A couch to lie down on would be fine, but if you've not got a couch handy, simply stretch out on the floor.

When you lie down to take a nap, you should loosen your shoes, your belt and your tie. Basically, it's best if you lie on your back and cross your arms across your chest.

You shouldn't concentrate on it, nor worry about falling asleep. First off, you'll be resting and that alone will give you the new energy you need. If your brain needs a rest as well, you'll soon fall asleep.

It's all right to think about specific business problems while you're still in the resting stage, but you must not allow yourself to get up and deal with them if answers come to you before your 20 minute nap period is up. As much as you can, you should try to direct your thoughts to non work ideas while you're resting. In other words, you might think about the things you intend to do when you get home from work.

You might mentally play a round of golf on your favorite course. Imagine watching your golf swing and correcting your problems. Besides relaxing you, these reveries provide the extra dividend of actually helping you to improve you own skills. mental preparation accounts for a great deal of one's skill in sports, and this kind, which you accomplish while you're relaxing, can pay off big time. Learn to ignore whatever noises there are and just tell yourself that these are noises of the atmosphere and do not relate to you. See them as a part of your environment, and not as irritants.

To be sure that you wake up at the end of 20 minutes, set an alarm or tell your secretary to wake you at the end of your rest period. Once you've practiced settling down and resting for 20 minutes at a time, you'll be able to wake yourself just before the alarm goes off or your secretary rouses you.

Attempting to sleep for 30 minutes or even an hour, will leave you feeling groggy rather than refreshed. There is nothing wrong however, with taking several 20 minute naps at different intervals throughout an especially long or tiring workday. The important thing to remember is that you can gain new energy and new creativity by resting and napping when you feel low on energy or as if you're running out of ideas.

As you awaken from your nap, you should lie still for a minute or two then stretch and breathe deeply. Take your time in getting up. Adjust your clothing and take a drink of water to get your system going again. Then, return to work, starting with simple chores such as opening letters or organizing the work you have to do. Within just a few minutes you should feel full of energy and able to handle any problem as it comes up.

With practice you'll be able refresh and rejuvenate your entire mental system with a short 20 minute nap. The important thing is to recognize when you need one to handle the problems at hand, and then to avail yourself of them. Total relaxation, complete physical and mental rest, and then a whole new burst of energy and creativity as the result.

Bar advice. Give it a try for yourself and see if you aren't amazed at the results.

Girls night in

Maybe there is some fun to be had in hitting the town with your a posse and strutting your stuff every now and then but if you want a fun time with the girls that doesn't involve hellacious hangovers and a "don't ask don't tell" policy, it could be time for an equally fun bonding experience, an all girl house party. Before you roll your eyes at thoughts of pillow fights and crank calls, check out these fun theme parties. It may become a memorable Saturday night and a perky Sunday morning. Remember to kick out all guys first.

Spa night.
Give the girls an opportunity to unwind with a relaxing night of rejuvenating activity. Ask them to bring their comfiest lounge wear and robes, recruit a manicurist to give fast mani and pedicures and a masseuse for rotating shoulder or foot massages. Serve bubbly or keep it clean with sparkling water with crushed mint and offer light fare such as grilled vegetable skewers, Chinese chicken salad, fresh berries and whipped-cream parfaits. Scatter good gossip magazines, light scented candles, and everyone will be in relaxed mode.

Dance the night away
Get the house jumping by hiring a dance instructor to teach your gang some smooth new moves. You can find quality candidates by calling a local dance studio. Just be sure you select a style that doesn't require dancing with partners, hip hop, pole dancing, belly dancing, and striptease would all get the party started and keep it going. Serve margaritas and energy boosting grab and go snacks such as brisket, new potato skins with all the fixins and salsa dip.

Yoga Retreat
Find your collective inner om with a mind and body centering evening of yoga or meditation. Hire an instructor from a local studio, invite guests to arrive in their comfiest workout clothes, and host an early evening session. Unwind with a light, healthy dinner of sushi, and soba noodles in broth. Light some incense, put on some soothing music, and watch everyone get Zen. Add some scented candles if you like.

Chick flick night
Warn friends it'll be a tearjerker. Pick a double header that's sure not to leave a dry eye in the house. Think Terms of Endearment, Life Is Beautiful, and The Notebook. Maybe the classic Sleepless in Seattle. Scatter pillows on the floor around the couch and coffee table, serve a concession stand menu of vanilla vodka with Coke, popcorn, hot dogs, and classic candies, and press play. If you don't want to put on the pounds then just go with red wine, cheese platter served with olives and such. Don't forget the tissues.

Bar advice. Sometimes the girls need to get away and just talk, laugh or cry with each other. It heals when understood and shared by others.