I was all set to go to Church this morning: my chicken casserole was bubbling  in the slow cooker, I had completed my ten minute Tai Chi Challenge and eaten a quick breakfast when,  guess what? I failed to properly awake from a quick nap that I was snatching just before leaving . . .

Why was I napping at nine in the morning?

Well, years of experience have taught me that if I am going out it pays to be completely relaxed before I go. I set the phone alarm for the time I want to leave the house, then set a second alarm for ten minutes before that. I settle into a comfy chair, close my eyes and concentrate on relaxing completely. If this is proving difficult I focus on my breathing. And, yes, I often do nod right off – but I awake after only a few minutes feeling great.

Nine times out of  ten I do not need the alarms to rouse me. I am aware of the time and ready to go. This morning I forgot to set the “10 minutes” earlier time and today was one of those “one out of ten” days. Oh yes! The alarm did stir me sufficiently to switch it off. I awoke properly twenty minutes later and decided it was too late to try to get to the morning service.
If Tip number One is to make the most use of power naps when coping with Narcolepsy, Tip number Two is “do not beat yourself up about it” when things do not work out quite as you planned.  Stress aggravates sleepiness. It took me years to accept my need to pace myself and allow for naps during the day.

Follow