Next time you’re feeling tired or sluggish in the middle of the day you may want to consider the benefits of a short nap. For many people, snoozing in the middle of a workday is a forbidden fruit, but employers may want to take a look at the studies that show how naps can increase creativity, alertness, and memory.
A lot of workplaces have already recognized what naps can do for their employees. Companies like Zappos.com and New York City-based Workman Publishing have incorporated designated sleep areas in the workplace.
Yarde Metals (a metal distribution company) takes the midday nap seriously. They have designed the “Z Lounge” which is a meditative retreat featuring a reclining chair which vibrates to music with scenes of a crackling fire displayed on a TV set. Marketing director Susan Yarde explains why the company feels the “Z Lounge” works, “If some people just need a nap for 15 minutes and they can finish out their day with a clear mind, there’s benefit to the company to do that.”
Naps may also be beneficial when it comes to our hearts and long-term health. A recent Newsweek article cites a six-year study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Athens Medical School. Researchers studied 23,500 healthy adults and found that taking naps at least 3 days a week reduced coronary mortality by 37 percent.
Sara Mednick, a professor of psychiatry and author of “Take a Nap! Change Your Life.” recommends napping for no more than 20 minutes to boost alertness and performance. She explains that getting between 30 minutes to an hour of sleep can leave a person feeling groggy the rest of the day.
Do you think a midday nap could increase your performance at work?
If your work allowed it, how often do you think you would take advantage of a short snooze?
I used to work at a hospital kitchen and was on my feet allll day. I'd sneak away to the locker room or my car during my lunch or dinner breaks and take a power naps and they'd absolutely worked!
Now that I work in an office, it can't be done.
but YES, i'm all for napping at work!
usagiseiya::
on Jul 30, 2008
Umm..Napping is great but for 15-20min will just not work for me. My naps usually 1-3hrs long. Then and only then do I feel refreshed!
firecracker::
on Jul 31, 2008
I used to work 12 hour days with a 2 hour lunch break. My midday nap was a necessity to get me through the day!
kapcsd::
on Jul 31, 2008
I take naps almost every day for about 30 minutes and it makes a big difference for me, especially being a parent.
ChefJess::
on Jul 31, 2008
I think that a short nap, about fifteen minutes long, is the best way to feel better. For the past seven years I have been going from work to school or school to work and have found that a short nap is one of the few ways I make it through the day. There is a huge difference in the energy that I get from a nap than from the energy I get from a big cup of coffee. The nap has the same benefit without the crash later.
henawa::
on Aug 05, 2008
many times just a short nap revives me and allows me to go alot later into the night then maybe normally. hey the do it on a daily basis in many countries.
semiblue::
on Aug 20, 2008
I think a 20 minute power nap is great. You feel refreshed and ready to go..to long a nap makes one feel groggy. Sleep pods for everyone!
chcook::
on Aug 26, 2008
I think a mid afternoon power nap is wonderful to get your energy levels up.
nanners520::
on Sep 17, 2008
I think naps can be very healthy, if taken for the appropriate length of time. I have noticed that if I nap for more than 30 minutes my entire sleep schedule is effected. I would say resting is great in the afternoon. We should look to other countries for examples. In Mexico, stores close for a few hours everday to allow for a siesta. This is true in many other parts of the world as well. Great for energy!
TweetyBug::
on Sep 24, 2008
If I could nap, I would be 1000% more productive at work. Don't we all hit a slump in the early afternoon? If I could recharge, I'd feel GREAT!
