Sleeping on the Job? Science Says Do It
Do you feel the need to reach for that seventh cup of coffee to fight off that afternoon slump, but it just isn’t working?
Have you ever wanted to snap your fingers and turn into a cat so you can take naps all day in the sun?
Are you an employed adult who is jealous of pre-schoolers who take their nap times for granted?
We get it.
Although we can’t help you morph back into your tiny-human self or turn you into a happy house cat (... yet…), we can help you take more naps. Cats have it figured out. Napping during the day is actually shown to drastically improve lives!
As a matter of fact, we are here to convince you to start napping at work!
Convincing people that napping at work is the opposite of slacking off is no doubt a tough undertaking. If you’re happily snoring away across from stressed-out-Sandra, who is neck-deep in yesterday’s paperwork, it may be hard not to feel guilty.
However, you have science and research on your side.
To Do List: Nap
Napping on the clock may sound like an absurd way to slack off, but science disagrees.
Take it from companies like Google (1) and the Huffington Post (2), who create designated “nap rooms” and futuristic-looking “nap pods” for employees.
When practiced correctly, short naps throughout your day can be extremely beneficial to your health, well-being, and job performance.
It’s no secret. Taking naps at work will not only have you in a better mood but will also:
- Increase your productivity
- Help you memorize and retain information
- Boost your immune system
- Improve your cognitive function and emotional control
- Help you become more in sync with your body clock
Our compulsory need to reach for that seventh cup of coffee between 1 and 3 p.m.? There’s actually an explanation for that.
Your body feels naturally inclined to sleep between certain times of the day (3); around 2 and 4 a.m., as well as 1 and 3 p.m., right in the middle of the workday!
Napping 101
To combat your body’s troublesome tiredness, research suggests taking power naps for 10 to 30 minutes. Now, of course, this is easier said than done. After all, napping at work is a big taboo, and who can fall asleep that easily?
This is where you come in to end the stigma and hop on board the nap train! Here are some things you can do:
- Forward this article to your boss and coworkers right now
- Tell Jerry to stop refilling the coffee-pot-of-temptation after 10 a.m. Just take a nap, Jerry. It’s okay bud. We’re here for you.
- Advocate for a “nap room,” or quiet space in your office
- Invest in nap-able furniture
- Avoid caffeine after 10 a.m.
Until you join forces with co-workers and start to create your best nap-themed chants and t-shirts, you may have to start your journey solo (4). Not every office is suited for a midday snooze. Here’s how to overcome it :
- Convince (or bribe...) a fellow employee to try napping too.
- Bring a yoga mat or camping pad and small pillow
- Find the darkest and quietest spot in the office, away from Sneezy Susan and Chatty Charles
- Invest in a sleep mask, earplugs, or other gear to help you fall asleep and stay asleep
- Don’t focus too much on “falling asleep,” try to relax as much as possible
- Keep naps at 30 minutes or less. (Any longer may cause lingering grogginess)
- Set a quiet, soothing alarm to wake you up
Get Your Nap On!
Adopting a nap-friendly policy in your workplace will have amazing positive effects. Major companies are already catching on, further proving that napping does not equal slacking!
When treated as a necessary part of the workday, napping will boost moods and increase overall productivity.
After establishing your own routine and becoming comfortable with the idea of napping at work, the rewards will be oh so sweet. Now put down that 2 p.m. cup of joe, and get some shuteye. Sweet dreams, and happy napping!
Sources:
(1) Osborne, Doug. “Google uses high-tech nap pods to keep employees energized." Geek.com, 18 Jun. 2010, www.geek.com/gadgets/google-uses-high-tech-nap-pods-to-keep-employees-energized-1264430/
(2) Minton, Melissa. “Arianna Huffington on Why a Nap Room Is So Important at Work." Architectural Digest.com, 10 Mar. 2017, www.architecturaldigest.com/story/thrive-nap-room-coco-mat-arianna-huffington
(3) Andrews, Linda. “5 Simple Fixes for an Afternoon Slump at Work.” Psychology Today, 22 Feb. 2018, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201802/5-simple-fixes-afternoon-slump-work
(4) Gillett, Rachel. "How to take a power nap at work, even if your office doesn't have nap rooms." Business Insider, 6 May 2016, www.businessinsider.com/how-to-take-a-power-nap-at-work-even-if-your-office-doesnt-have-nap-rooms-2016-5
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