The past two Fridays, I realized I needed to choose between powering through fatigue or taking a power nap. Realizing what I do with my Fridays can affect my Saturdays is on my mind each Friday.
Living with chronic illness means living with the reality of fatigue and limited energy.
On the last Friday in February, I hung out at a coffee shop all afternoon and evening. I talked with some people there, checked my blog, chatted online with friends in various countries, and had my lunch and dinner there. The result was that last Saturday I was wiped out.
Yesterday I came home after meeting someone at a coffee shop for one hour after my morning class. I did a few things and then it was time for a nap. It wasn’t the quick 15 minute or so nap. It was a three hour power nap.
I did so because this morning I have three appointments at my church. First I will meet with my friend from Bosnia, Then I will meet with a young man from Congo who wants help with the TOEFL test, (Test Of English Foreign Language), and then meet a friend from Mexico.
I used to feel a bit guilty about taking care of myself physically through power naps. It felt as thought I was being lazy. But God knows our physical bodies need rest. When Elijah was worn out, he fell asleep under a tree. 1 Kings 19:
“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”
God’s response through the angel was to feed Elijah and let him sleep some more and then feed him again. God did not call Elijah lazy for needing rest.
So a power nap it was for me yesterday. What are things you do to take care of yourself?
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Always choose the power nap. I am still amazed lately at how long I can sleep and then still sleep all night. Muting my phone so I can focus. Doing literally nothing. Choosing who gets my time – because whoever it is, it drains me…some more than others. Some fill me up a bit, and those are my faves. Always choose the nap. Thank you for sharing that verse.
Naps 🤗
such a difficult balance to strike
The balance tips to power nap recently 🤗
🙂
Wow. I could use a nap like that. It’s just never quiet in this house! Impossible to sleep during the day time and almost impossible to sleep at night with talkative sisters!
Maybe you need noise canceling headphones 😂
Uhhhhh, hmmmm, what?
Headphones you can wear that block out sound
Oh, oh, oh! I thought you said “nose” but you said “noise”. I must be REALLY tired, but that’s funny!
I love power naps!! I’m a dreamer so when I nap that’s when God speaks to me the most! So there is POWER in the POWER NAP LOL! Have a blessed day! 😴
🤗
This post is a consolation for me. I’ve been struggling with whether I am lazy or honestly exhausted. I had recently written about it on my blog. Your post answers some of my questions. Thank you.
Needing rest because of chronic illness is not laziness. I am glad my post helped a bit 🙂
This is a very tough question………..there are many days I just don’t have the option to nap, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t pay for it later. I hope today is treating you well!
Today is better. Sorry you don’t have the option. I only have the option a few days a week
Praise God today is better! 🙂 so happy to read this.
thank you 🙂
I can’t nap. I have the problem right now of being tired and wired. I slept lastnight, but my sleeping patterns are wierd. One night I woke up a few hours after I went to sleep, another night I woke up around 5:00Am. Then when I feel sleepy I can’t keep my eyes open, but I can’t really sleep. I keep waking up. And of course even if I do sleep I still feel exhausted.
I feel exhausted after sleeping too. One thing that has been helping me sleep is CBD oil. I take it 30 minutes before I go to sleep. I sleep 6 or 7 hours now.
Like you, I couldn’t risk not functioning in some manner this weekend, so I too took a nap yesterday. With every nap I thank God for giving me a life that allows for naps and following the needs of my body. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I am glad you can follow the needs of your body. Blessings 🤗
You should not feel guilty about resting. As you said when you rest you feel more refresh and strengthen the next day. I like to just sleep in on Saturdays without doing any house work. I tried to do all my housework during the week.
I like naps now 🙂
Rest is a must. I heard a sermon on it recently. We’re commanded to rest. We should have a true day off with nothing to do but rest. This is not something we’re encouraged to do nowadays. I’m learning it’s ok to stop and do nothing. Make sure you’re getting your rest in big brother, especially since you have chronic illness. 😊
I will little sister 🤗
I have taken a few power naps. Even a 30-minute break can invigorate me for the rest of my day. My biggest plans for the coming days will be to take advantage of better weather so I enjoy my daily walks.
Wish I could go for walks. Tree pollen has started here
I totally understand and take naps often! Bless you, brother!
Naps 🤗
Power nap is needful. When it comes to rest, it’s key and we shouldn’t live oblivious to it.
I sleep most times. 🙈
Watch movie and relax while doing that too.
naps 🙂
Smiles.