On the news recently were the results of a trial detailing the benefits of a lunchtime nap. Apparently during a lunchtime nap, your blood pressure drops by around 6%, and afterwards, your BP has still dropped by around 4%. Good news indeed for those of us that do like a nap in the day. I confess after working shifts, in the past for 14 years, I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, and sometimes do! They’re going to widen the experiment and are looking for more participants to take part in a much wider experiment. Take me! I’d happily give up part of my lunch hour if there was somewhere warm and safe to take a little nap. When I’m on leave I regularly take a little nap, and a colleague of mine, who is 10 years younger, and a sporty type, was quite nonplussed when we compared blood pressure, and mine was a good deal lower than his.

Speaking of my colleague, we have less than 3 weeks until the students return, and he drops the bombshell that he’s no longer going to be working for the school. He and I are both on split contracts, meaning we work for 2 different schools each, but he’s going to drop the part he shares with me. Oh fantastic! I was sat thinking of all the commitments he and I have made workwise, and I had an oesophageal spasm – a type of panic attack I guess. The first time I had one of these in the office they called an ambulance for me; so embarrassing, but scary too. Stress causes an over-production of acid in the stomach which rises up the oesophagus. To protect itself, this then closes off. All good, except one now can’t breathe properly. I rushed home, popped a strong antacid, and had a very hot drink. This seems to work in that it forces open the airways again. I stayed home to recover as it can leave me feeling quite shaky.

Next week I’m going to write to the head of school and basically state that I can’t cover all the work that we committed to, at least not until they replace him. I’ve already voiced my concerns to my manager and told him I’m concerned that I’ll be expected to cover the work of 1.5 people. Excuse me whilst I have a quiet breakdown over in the corner…

My son finishes his first week in college today (Friday) and he seems to be enjoying it so far. It’s great that he’s out of the house for part of the day. He’s no problem to me; however I do get concerned that he doesn’t go out much. At least he’s out now with other people, and will hopefully socialise a bit with them.

So, it’s Friday, and the day can’t be over fast enough. I’ve really had enough of work this week.

Have a great weekend.