A Chic Paris Lockdown – Part 2: Day 26 – Sleep That Knits Up The Ravell’d Sleeve of Care…

 November 28, 2020

Day 26 is titled “Take a nap” in Fiona Ferris’s book, 30 Chic Days At Home.  She writes that she found herself more tired than usual during her home nation New Zealand’s lockdown in Spring of 2020. Interestingly, she notes that the news had reported that many people are feeling more tired than usual during this stressful period.

Here in Paris, it’s day one of France’s slow walk out of a month of lockdown. In contrast to the last four weeks of sleepy quiet, my neighborhood market street and the main shopping street are hopping with masked pedestrians. Every shop seems to be decorated for the Christmas season. There is definitely a sense of energy and relief in the air.

Thinking back over this last month of restricted movement, I have definitely felt a “sleepy” time mid-afternoon. I’m not sure if it’s a new thing that I feel sleepy in the mid-afternoon or if I just notice it now because I’m not out running around distracted from it. I’m pretty happy to go to bed early (around 9:30/10 pm) so I’m not staying up late. (Sadly, I have noticed over the past several years that my face will show immediately if I start skimping on sleep!)

I like Fiona’s advice to go with the flow and take a little nap if we have that option. If a nap is not your thing, maybe think about turning off the light 15-20 minutes earlier in the evening. This has been a stressful year. A little extra sleep will definitely support our emotional equilibrium going into the holiday season!