Ready for a nap at work?

Not only new parents, 24-hour shift workers, and people living near an airport probably know how essential sleep is. The value of sufficient sleep has positive effects on our quality of life and work performance.

Companies have also recognized this – for example, Nike's headquarters in Portland, Oregon, has rooms that employees can use for naps. Other companies have installed lighting systems to regulate the sleep hormone melatonin, allowing employees to unwind better after work.

Nevertheless, the concept of "sleeping at work" through naps during working hours remains unthinkable for most companies, even if it promotes mental well-being or attracts top talent. Sleep research has made significant progress in recent years. Laboratory experiments confirm what many have already suspected: insufficient sleep can cause problems with cognitive function and mental health.

 

 

Naps of only 10 to 30 minutes can increase alertness, reduce fatigue, and improve performance. Not only that, but recent research suggests that naps can lower blood pressure as effectively as medication. Companies that introduce napping policies can therefore even save on healthcare costs.

The idea that employees should not be allowed to sleep at work is an outdated taboo from times past. In the modern economy, however, the value of employees, managers, or executives often rests on the ability to achieve desirable results – not just manual or physical skills. Progressive companies recognize that exhausted employees cannot perform at their best. In short: tired employees rob employers of performance.

 

Source: Canva Photo Library

 

The Mayo Clinic, one of the best hospitals and research institutions in the US, recommends the following tips to get the most out of a nap:

1. Keep naps short: try to sleep for only 10 to 20 minutes. The longer the nap, the more likely you are to feel groggy afterward.
2. Nap in the early afternoon: a nap after 3 PM can interfere with nighttime sleep. Individual factors such as your sleep needs, sleep schedule, age, and medication use also play a role in determining the best time of day for a nap.
3. Create a restful environment: nap in a quiet, dark place with a comfortable room temperature and few distractions.

You should also take the time to "properly wake up" before resuming your activities – especially those that require a quick or sharp reaction.

We hope we could motivate you to integrate naps into your daily routine.

See you soon

Mana from Bookhoover

 

 

Sources:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/04/is-napping-at-work-a-good-idea-this-research-points-to-its-benefits?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social_video&utm_term=1_1&utm_content=31088_daytime_naps_brain&utm_campaign=social_video_2023

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319

 

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