The power of catnaps

When I was a young kid helping out my mother sell shrimps and fish in Divisoria, we would head out of the house around midnight so we can catch the auction and secure our “paninda” for the day. It was so early that my Nanay Curing would tell me to get some sleep. And so after we have set up our stall, I would lie down in a small bench and take a nap for about 15 to 20 minutes. When I woke up, I would be energized and ready to help out in selling our “paninda.”

- OF TREES AND FOREST FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT MANNY VILLAR

Even at a young age, I appreciated the value of a power nap. I had friends who hated it when their mothers would force them to take a nap. “Hindi naman ako inaantok e (I'm not sleepy)!” But a mother really knows best. Today, I have continued with that habit, “nakaw na tulog (stolen sleep)” as others have playfully labeled it.

I always make it a point to get some shuteye in between meetings. Sometimes after a long and grueling meeting, I would have 10 to 15 minutes of break and I would use that to nap. Most of the time, I would take a nap while en route to my next appointment. This comes in very handy especially when there is tremendous traffic — one of the few upsides of this urban problem.