Spending the holidays surrounded by family is what it’s all about. But as the celebrations go on, you should take some time that is just for you. More specifically, you should treat yourself to a rejuvenating nap.
If you’re sleeping off the holiday turkey or taking a breather from the controlled chaos, a good nap in a comfy spot will leave you recharged and ready for holiday fun.
Choosing the perfect nap spot, however, is essential to your success. You’ll need to stake out the best spot in the house before your guests do, whether it’s a cozy recliner, a chair-and-a-half, a chaise lounge or a daybed.
Recliners to Nap On
There’s no shame in napping on your recliner after whispering “one more episode” during a binge-watching session or sleeping off the big holiday meal in front of the TV. Turns out sleeping on a recliner can alleviate back pain, acid reflux, and sleep apnea symptoms!
When you sleep sitting up or partially reclined, let your body get the rest you need while easing the pressure that occurs from lying down completely flat. So, if you’re caught snoring about a half-hour after dinner, don’t sweat it—tell your family you’re just properly digesting!
Curling Up on A Chair-And-A-Half
Also known as oversized chairs, chairs-and-a-half are a natural nap destination. These chairs are wider than the standard but don’t quite reach the dimensions of a loveseat, which is to say they're ideal for stretching out and finding the comfiest position that leaves room for only you—no relatives invited!
Get ready to hit snooze on the holiday fun and drape yourself across the arms or curl up against the pillows. Claim your napping domain!
You Aren’t Lounging Unless You’re Chaise Lounging
Chaise lounges, or chaises, are a common alternative to recliners. Chaises come in many designs—with or without arms—but each one is made for lounging in repose. A chaise is designed for leaning back and putting your feet up without your mom or aunties commenting about it. And if you happen to nod off during your uncle’s football stories or your younger cousin's chattering, who can blame you? You just couldn’t help but fall under the spell of the chaise lounge!
Daytime Dozing in a Daybed
Daybeds and napping go hand in hand; daybeds are just beds that double as extra seating.
The key to the perfect siesta on an indoor daybed is making it look like dozing off was just an accident. Strategically pile the pillows to your side for more “support” while sitting down during the holiday proceedings, and then let the comforting sensations lull you into sleep. But don’t sleep too long, or you might just catnap through the holiday feast—or worse, dessert!
Napping Tips
If staking out the best spot for your nap isn’t in the cards, you can just doze off anywhere. Napping is a no brainer, right? Lay down, sleep, wake up. But did you know there’s such a thing as a bad nap?
To avoid any negative effects from a well-deserved nap (of course you deserve it!), follow these steps:
- Create your ideal sleep environment: Find a quiet corner away from too much lighting, gather toss pillows you’ll think you need, grab a comfy blanket, and make sure the temperature is just right.
- Aim for napping in the early afternoon (before 3 p.m.) to avoid having trouble falling asleep at night. However, if you know your relatives aren’t going to leave anytime soon, a different time of day might work better for you.
- Keep your naps short and sweet! Set an alarm between 10-20 minutes to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. Sleeping longer might leave you too groggy to enjoy the holiday 'nog!
- Be sure to go through a wake-up routine and give yourself time to feel more alert before your favorite part of the holiday proceedings—dessert!
While you can technically nap anywhere, staking out a nap spot just for you will help you get through the holidays with an extra dash of cheer. Can’t decide which type of furniture will help you snooze? Need to replace your well-loved but worn out furniture? Stop by our showroom and test out the differences between recliners, chairs-and-a-half, daybeds, and chaise lounges! Or give us a call for more information on our available seating—or napping—options.