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Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Nap

There was something so incredibly relaxing about this couple. Perhaps it was their ability to sleep outdoors with the trust and self assurance it requires. Or perhaps the bliss of youth where the burdens and baggage of life have not yet accumulated. The gentleness of their embrace. Maybe the dappled light on a beautiful afternoon with the gift of an atypically warm day. Many people have problems sleeping and taking a nap in a public place is probably inconceivable to them. The U.S. Department of Health reports that approximately 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia each year. The problem increases as one ages. So, for those of you who have no problem sleeping - celebrate and take a nap outdoors on a sunny day. Be careful though - there are local ordinances against sleeping in public places (with some controversy) which are sometimes enforced ...

Note about naps: There are individuals who have experimented with polyphasic sleeping, an alternate sleeping pattern where the total number of hours slept in a day is substantially reduced by taking short naps at regular intervals (in lieu of sleeping a typical single session). In a popular variant, the Uberman's Sleep Schedule, one takes six naps of 20–25 minutes each four hours apart throughout the day. Polyphasic sleep was most extensively studied by Dr. Claudio Stampi.

Photo Note: The book being read? - Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. Plot: A Socratic dialogue between and narrator Alan Lomax and a telepathic gorilla (Ishmael). Sounds interesting.

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13 comments:

indieperfumes said...

Very nice and peaceful photo. I remember being able to sleep like that back when I was in school -- more than 8 hours a night plus naps whenever...one of those wonderful things that money can't buy...

Brian Dubé said...

I suppose one could buy anesthetic drugs :)

Anonymous said...

I'm a student, and I wish I could sleep more.

It's something you learn as a student, being able to fall asleep anywhere. Doctor's waiting rooms, trains, what have you.

Brian Dubé said...

leah;
When I'm really exhausted, I find I can sleep just about anywhere in any position. Ironically, I sometimes find it easier when immersed in a noisy, busy environment.

Anonymous said...

When I was overseas in the Army I could fall asleep anywhere. Not now. I still fall asleep but in my easy chair or in my bed.

I like this photo a lot.

The couple look so peaceful.

maria elisa said...

love your photo

Anonymous said...

I guess sleeping people make easy photo targets ;)

Brian Dubé said...

anon - sleeping people do make easy targets, but I try not to abuse it. I think this couple would be happy with the result. It certainly casts them in a positive light. I would have given them a card, but I did not want to wake them.

Michael said...

I really love this, it's very gentle.

I also enjoy the additional information regarding sleep and the book.

You always make such interesting posts.

Anonymous said...

Ishmael is probably one of my favorite books. You should read it, if you haven't already.

Brian Dubé said...

michael - thanks.

anon - I have a friend who is an avid reader. I will recommend it to her and I will look at it myself.

• Eliane • said...

Lovely. Not sure I am ready to experiment with polypasic sleep just yet. ;)

ladyluck3819 said...

right, this pix is absolutely lovely!