Still haven’t wrapped your head around the nap idea 🙂

@Crete- your naps sound incredibly productive! I haven’t always been good about sleeping when the baby sleeps, but I do believe that nap time should not be chore time. It should either be you time (reading something nice, doing a grown-up project) or maybe something professional, particularly if you’ve stepped back from the workforce for a bit. It’s a good time for keeping yourself in the game (sending a few emails, reading something related to work, etc.)

For nearly 10 years now (I’m 47) I rarely miss my daily nap. 20-30 minutes, normally after lunch (feet up and recline), but, if I find myself awake at 3am by 10:30 or 11:00 my eyes close…. I find it by far the single most productive part of my day. ‘In fact, I have learned, I would rather cancel an afternoon meeting with an important client if I have not been able to nap. I simply am not giving that person my best in that instance and it is unfair to them… Accordingly, my most important meetings are normally held over lunch somewhere.

For the record (and those who label nappers lazy): I’m the owner of a small contracting firm, physically work at least 3 days a week and I’m just shy of 6’2″ and 215lbs.

The single most productive “unproductive” thing I’ve ever done? Go to marriage counseling with my wife…

I agree with Sherrie and Susan. Walking, running, getting out and doing anything physical always helps unclog my mental drains. Also, consciously choosing to not think about work for a day or two always helps me be more energetic when I am back in front of the screen.