Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude and the Perfect Nap

Thanksgiving is almost here! It’s the season for all things sweet, savory, and fat and carb loaded. Joy pecks at our door in the form of good food and great company. Memories from past Thanksgiving meals flood our minds like gravy cascading over mashed potatoes.  

And when we think back to all those glorious feasts, there's one memory that stands out: the glorious nap that follows the food.  

We’ve all seen it. The kid who nods off at the table, blissfully asleep after a few too many slices of pumpkin pie. Or perhaps you were the fully grown adult who rolled up on the couch like a well-fed baby.  

Full confession: we’ve all been there, done that. Family photos that we did not want to circulate adequately document it.   

You might think tryptophan is the reason for Thanksgiving fatigue. This sneaky chemical hides in your turkey. But research shows that tryptophan isn't the culprit. Nope, it’s you!  

It’s your unyielding determination to clean your plate of every last morsel of turkey, gravy, and pie. What you’re experiencing is, simply put, a delicious, guilt-free food coma.   

So, want to beat that food-induced exhaustion? Here are a few tips to keep in mind for the upcoming Thanksgiving feast:  

1. Stay Hydrated: Before diving into the feast, drink plenty of water. Drinking enough water helps your body use those tasty carbs and fats. This can lower the chance of feeling heavy and sluggish afterward.  
2. Choose Your Favorites Wisely: Instead of sampling everything on the table, pick your absolute favorite dishes. By focusing on what you love most, you’ll enjoy each bite more and avoid piling on foods you don’t care about.  
3. Break Up the Meal: Turn Thanksgiving into a multi-course event! Instead of putting everything on your plate at once, enjoy each dish one at a time. Take a moment between courses to chat, laugh, and digest.  
4. Listen to Your Body: Once you’re full, stop eating. People don’t want to hear about your regrets while you sprawl on the couch in a food coma. Instead, take leftovers home for a second serving later.   
5. Take a Walk in the Park: After the meal, take a leisurely stroll outside. It helps with digestion and lets you quietly unbutton those pants you thought would fit all night.  

We just reread our little list and had a nice laugh! Who are we kidding? Who in their right mind would want to say no to a food-induced nap that could last anywhere from half an hour to five hours?  

Instead, here’s an alternative list we think you’ll actually use. How can you set yourself and your home up for the best Thanksgiving nap ever?  

Thanksgiving Nap Preparation Tips  

1. Embrace Indulgence: We all keep an eye on our calories (well, mostly). But Thanksgiving is the perfect time to give calorie count a break! Go all in. Eat all you want. Follow it up with football or your family’s favorite series, and then, in the prime of food and good vibes, nap to your heart’s content. Guilt-free!  
   
2. Scout Your Spot: If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving at someone else’s home, take a casual stroll early on to scope out the comfiest napping spot. Get there before the other “nap spot hunters” in the house. And if you don’t get there fast enough to claim one of the beds, a cozy sectional sofa will work just fine.  
   
3. Create a Nap –worthy Aesthetic: If you’re hosting, now is the time to turn your bedroom into a judgment-free nap zone. Invest in an ultra-comfy blanket, swap that old bedframe for one that speaks to your style, decorate with your favorite colors, and add linens that invite a good snooze. Most importantly, treat yourself to a luxurious mattress that sets the tone for the ultimate Thanksgiving nap.  From customer-approved Ultra Cooling Memory Foam mattresses to highly rated 12-inch hybrid mattresses, we have plenty to offer when you’re ready for a mattress refresh.
4. Timing is Everything: Research shows that the best Thanksgiving nap happens between the turkey and pie. This nap should last about 42 minutes. Trust the science; if there’s one thing we all need, it’s a scientifically approved nap. How else are we to find the energy to shop till we drop on Black Friday!  
5. Bonus Tip - Strategic Snoozing: Set an alarm for your post-meal nap. No one wants to wake up and realize they missed the pumpkin pie!  

So, there you have it! Enjoy the feast, embrace the nap, and make sure you return home with that super-secret stuffed turkey recipe. And most importantly, remember that Thanksgiving is all about gratitude—gratitude for the food, the company, and the perfectly timed snooze. Happy Thanksgiving and Nap Day, y’all!