Life in Pajamas

Wake Me When It's Really Spring

I heard it was officially Spring last week but with snow on the ground and temperatures in the 30's here in CT, I'm choosing to hibernate. Comfy flannel pajamas plus snuggle socks and a warm blanket are working well. I know animals hibernate to save energy. They hibernate to survive the conditions. Hibernating is a happy place for me this week. Hibernating is giving me permission to catch up on sleep, to read the magazines stacking up on my ipad, to feed my Pinterest addiction, to just relax. My favorite pajamas are making my hibernation just that much better. Yes, I dream of flowers on my patio. I dream of wearing my capri pj's with flip flops, warm sunshine on my face. I dream of thunderstorms on a warm night, the smell of newly cut grass. But tonight, it seems a long way away so like I said, I'm very happy hibernating. Someone wake me when it's really Spring.

The Benefits of Laziness

Time for a quick history lesson: Sociologist Max Weber's book "The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" first appeared in English in 1930. Upon its publication, Type A personalities around the world to probably cheered—even though they didn't have time to read it. Today, the cult of incessant productivity still reigns supreme. That is too bad because a little laziness can be a glorious thing.e to get back to work, the renewed clarity of your thoughts will amaze you.

Of course, laziness does not mean having to let your thoughts drift. Spending a slow Saturday morning lounging around the living room is also a great time to think deeply about issues you care about. On these kinds of days, it does not matter what errands you have to run, when the report at work is due, or how many practices the kids have on Monday. Laziness allows you to settle back and live in the moment, contemplating what you want life to be instead of the quickest way to burn through your to do list.

While you are spending your time thinking deeply about life, you are also allowing yourself to relax and rest. Call it lazy if you like, but honestly, there is nothing better for your health than the occasional afternoon spent relaxing around the house in your pjs. You will feel great enjoying a stress-free day, but your body will be hard at work rebuilding its reserves of strength and stamina.

Finally, laziness can be a gift shared with the entire family. Most of us struggle to make the time to spend with the ones we love. Doing nothing more strenuous than sitting around the living room and enjoying a family movie marathon is a great way to say, “My time with you is valuable. See, I've cleared my schedule.” It is the perfect method for building the bonds between family members.

So, if you are ready to benefit from a little laziness, make sure you are prepared. All you will need is a rainy afternoon, all the people you love, and some comfortable loungewear from The Pajama Company. Your body, soul, and family will thank you.

 

 

The Beautiful Nap

If you think that naps should be reserved for babies and toddlers, think again. While most people outgrow their daily nap by around age 5, many recent studies have shown that naps can provide exceptional benefits throughout a person's lifetime. What's more is that some of today's most productive and successful people are die-hard power nap enthusiasts - which is quite a departure from the concept of the lazy napper who sleeps the day away. What is it about a nap that makes it such a positive thing? The following information is sure to be a real eye-opener!

Naps Boost Productivity

Few people would argue that Thomas Edison was an ambitious, talented and whip-smart man. One of the quirkiest things about Edison is the fact that he didn't generally sleep at night; instead, he took several 20-minute naps each day. Considering the fact that he churned out one brilliant idea after another, it's safe to surmise that those naps gave Edison quite a shot in the arm. A 2006 study by NASA reported that a 26-minute nap can boost a person's performance by a whopping 34%. If you have a spare twenty or thirty minutes during your work day, then, a nap is probably your best bet.

Naps Enhance Healthfulness

While getting at least eight hours of sleep per night may make your healthier, it looks like naps can take things one step further. A joint 2007 study by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School reported that people who took regular midday naps were 37% less likely to suffer from coronary health issues. Researchers believe that the stress-reducing nature of naps are largely responsible for this fact. If getting into the habit of taking brief naps can improve your health - and even extend your life - why not do it?

Naps Increase Happiness

In addition to the points outlined above, there is plenty of evidence that suggests that naps make people happier in general. If you know someone who sets aside time for a daily nap, they are probably one of the happiest people you know. Indeed, a 2006 Stanford School of Medicine study reported that doctors and nurses who took regular power naps tended to have better moods and be more alert than their nap-free counterparts. For happiness, healthiness and increased productivity, you don't have to take a supplement - you just need to get a little extra shuteye!