Snoozing Your Way to the Top

   By drodriguez  Jul 26, 2008
20

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?

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TweetyBug by TweetyBug | HILLSDALE, NJ
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!

nanners520 by nanners520 | LINO LAKES, MN
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!

chcook by chcook | McAdenville, NC
Aug 26, 2008

I think a mid afternoon power nap is wonderful to get your energy levels up.

semiblue by semiblue | Cleveland, OH
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!

henawa by henawa | bowling green, OH
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.

ChefJess by ChefJess | Toledo, OH
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.

kapcsd by kapcsd | North Hollywood, CA
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.

firecracker by firecracker | Elgin, TX
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!

usagiseiya by usagiseiya | Fresno, CA
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!

StarLite33 by StarLite33 | COLONIA, NJ
Jul 29, 2008

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!

masmac20 by masmac20 | Medford, WI
Jul 28, 2008

Sounds like a wonderful idea!! But, I can't see it in my work place! I'm a teacher and how could I nap when the kids definitely wouln't be. Yikes, what a classroom that would be!

lunita111 by lunita111 | deltona, FL
Jul 27, 2008

It would be very cool if US employers allowed nap time just like other countries do. The result would be more productive work...and less grumpy employees.

daisy671 by daisy671 | Dekalb, IL
Jul 26, 2008

I work overnights and I often take a 20 minute nap instead of a full 30 minute lunch. It helps me recharge enough to make it all the way through the night. I love naps!!

melsy00 by melsy00 | TOMBALL, TX
Jul 24, 2008

In many other countries it is acceptable to have an afternoon nap and most workers are happy and productive. It wouldn't hurt for American employers to allow a nap for their employees.

sdgomez by sdgomez | Sandy Lake, PA
Jul 23, 2008

20 minutes huh?? I always hated napping (as an adult) because I found myself waking up so groggy the rest of the day was shot... maybe I am just sleeping too long! next opportunity I get, I'll give the little nap a try... however, not something our work allows, so I don't know when that will ever be.

if they allowed it -- oh yeah, I'd be there!