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Writer's pictureLenny Manzo

The Coffee Nap

Updated: Jul 10, 2023

Also dubbed the Espresso Nap. Either way it sounds like an oxymoron. The idea of the coffee nap is the consumption of a cup of coffee right before you doze off for your afternoon interlude. It


might be difficult for the stars to align and create the proper scenario to carry out this coffee blast. It is tough to arrange, unless you already have a daily snooze planned. Right before you hit the hay, you need to chug down some coffee. The idea of a double espresso makes the most sense. Less to drink, more caffeine per liquid, more bang for the buck, giving yourself the most time to get to sleep before the coffee kicks in. That is the rub: Can you pass out before the coffee has a chance to kick in?

The science behind this unorthodox scenario is that by drinking coffee immediately before you nod off, your energy will be boosted while your body gets rid of adenosine, a chemical that promotes sleep. There is less of a clash between the caffeine and the adenosine, with less adenosine the caffeine has a clearer path to your brain, ultimately spiking your experience.

It does sound like extreme measures to enjoy a simple coffee. This is more for skydivers, zipliners, and rock climbers—not to mention bull runners and other thrill seekers. Perhaps if my youth was not in the rearview mirror, I might take a shot.

Truth be told, I sometimes have a second one through the grinds. This is actually a solo act. I would never ask a friend at my house to go down the road, but late in the afternoon, when I don’t really want a strong cup, and I would just like a tail of the dog, then by all means, I hit the glass kettle and fill the pour-over one more time. It does not pack the same punch by any means, but it satisfies the moment and it’s just enough oomph to push me through the rest of the day.

It was getting late and finding a café post sundown with quality coffee is sometimes not easy, depending on your current location. I plotted a course crosstown to a place that was not in my path, but the scenic route was preferred considering the end result. The four winds prevailed; my GPS did not lie this time and got me there under the wire. N0t long enough to sit and enjoy, but quality emersed in cardboard served me well. The evening will now have a new meaning, with a different feeling that will convey a divergent attitude, bringing on a better outcome.

I was walking down the street minding my own business—something I am adept at it—when this car swerved toward me and honked three times. I was taken aback, thinking that I don’t know anybody in this area. My friend, Carla, screeched out “Hey Lenny!” Kismet was upon me. I was originally getting my coffee to go down by the seaside on this balmy day. The café was heated nicely with some good music; the temptress that the café is could not be resisted, so I was headed back to my car for my bag. Had I decided not to change my plan, my friend would have would have just continued on Main St. without a honk.



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