With it being the first week of school, my body isn't yet accustomed to the early mornings and the late nights. Around noon my eyes start to feel heavy, my brain starts to get fuzzy, and the thought of my warm, cloud-like bed gains precedence over every other thought. If this doesn't happen to you, then all the power to you, but if you're like me, then take pride in knowing that you're just a sleepy person who requires daily naps.

The word "nap" has taken many different meanings throughout my life. For example, when I was a kid I was required to take naps by my parents, babysitters, and pre-school. I remember crying and resisting whenever I was told it was nap time, acting like a nap was the worst possible thing I could be forced to endure. Now, as a second-year college student, naps signify a kind of freedom unlike no other. Naps are no longer a symbol of weakness or young age, but rather they are seen as special gifts and small breaks from the crushing reality of life –I know that sounds dramatic, but naps have never failed me like people have nor have they done me any wrong.

As someone with anxiety, naps are a way to escape what may be going on in my head, even if it's only for a few hours. Likewise, naps allow me to calm my brain in a way no other calming remedy can; forgetting about the world and its problems is refreshing and special, and for naps, I'm forever grateful.

There are many types of naps, but my favorite is, of course, the after-school nap. You might be thinking, "I thought all naps were the same?" but you're wrong! No nap is the same and they all vary in purposes and lengths; after-school naps allow me to unwind from the stresses of my hectic and busy schedule in a way that's personal, calming, and nourishing. After-school naps similarly help energize me for the homework I have to complete later on in the day, thus solidifying their multiplicity.

For the remainder of the semester, I can promise one thing: naps after school will be constant. While some people take up yoga, reading, running, etc., I will be crawling into my safe space and closing my eyes.