Do You Need A Nap?

The holiday season is filled with fun, and sometimes it seems as though there is a little bit too much fun. A full social calendar, extra shopping and cooking, out-of-town guests, and, for some, working overtime, can add up to a lot of stress and exhaustion.

Ideally, we should make sure we get enough sleep every night to restore our physical and mental energies. That can be challenging during the best of times, but at this time of year it may be completely out of reach.

Even when it is impossible to schedule an early bedtime or stay in bed for some extra Z's in the morning, there are often opportunities to grab ten minutes or so at random times during the day. Surprisingly, even a very short nap can restore alertness and make us feel more energized.

Some kinds of naps are more effective than others. How long you sleep (hint: longer is not always better), when and where you sleep, as well as caffeine intake, all affect how much a nap will benefit you.

Here is a chart, created by Casper, the mattress company, explaining the best way to enjoy the nap you need.

Money Misery

Conflict over finances is one of the most common problems in marriage, and one of the top causes of divorce.

People have very strong feelings about money, especially when there isn't enough of it. Psychologically, money can represent safety, self-esteem, social status, security, and the power to control one's destiny. No wonder people are so emotional about it!

Distrust and Stress

In What Makes Love Last? John Gottman writes about the importance of trust in relationships.

One very interesting comment in the book's introduction is that trust relieves stress. People who trust their partners can make decisions and take actions without having to worry about what the partner will or won't do. If you know that your spouse will do what he says he will do, you don't have to waste time and energy worrying about it. You don't have to check. You can go ahead and make plans based on his promises without having to worry that things will fall apart.