A Nap Can Be Good For Business
Sleeping at work in the U.S. has traditionally been taboo (socially unacceptable). However, that’s changing in the American workplace. In a recent report, one-third (about 33%) of the people surveyed said that their workplace allowed naps (short periods of sleep during the day).
Scientists who study sleep say that people who take naps, especially if they didn’t have enough sleep the night before, are more alert (quick to notice and respond to situations), more creative (able to think of new ideas and use their imagination), and have better memory (able to remember things better).
Napping may be good for your health, too. In one study, researchers found that taking naps at least three days per week helped reduce the chance of dying from coronary (heart) problems.
The experts say that the ideal (best; most suitable) length of a nap is 20 minutes. Sleeping more than 30 minutes puts you in a deeper sleep and you will wake up groggy (weak and tired) and not refreshed (with new strength and energy).
Some large companies are taking note (paying attention). They have designated (assigned for a special purpose) sleep areas in their buildings.
Is it acceptable in your workplace to nap? Do you nap?
~ Lucy
July 1st, 2008 at 9:59 am
There was a method of getting nap in some offices few years ago, as employees felt a nap is good long before the report presented above. It was “sleeping on an eraser”: you put your head on one your arm near the edge of the desk and let the second hand to hang down free over an eraser laid on the floor, beneath. When your boss is coming, you have a chance to wake up and pick up the eraser pretending that everything is under control. So, since the discovery described hear by lovely Lucy, no eraser is necessary…
Best wishes,
Kaz (from Poland)
July 1st, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hello,
I nap as often as I can
but just only the we.
After lunch my boss doesn’t allow meeting with my collegues or without him … it’s his nap time.
t h a n k y o u v e r y m u c h
July 1st, 2008 at 11:43 am
YES, always, all my life, and it is the traditional “siesta” in Spain that is our way of life. My father used to have his nap just after lunch being sitting on the chair without leaving the table. And after being 15 or 20 minutes without moving from the chair he woke up and went to work as fresh as a lettuce having worked all the morning from 7 a.m. till 3 p.m., and he now is 94 years old working along 40 years in the morning and in the afternoon everyday.
If you have a nap you resist very well all afternoon till late, in my case now till 2 a.m. more o less, and it is enough just what you say no more of 20 or 30 minutes, depends of each one…….but not more, as being longer is true you will wake up groggy and takes a long time to be refreshed again. Sometimes even with headache if you have been napping too long.
So nap is marvellous, but in its measure that is not exactly the same for everyone. Some need as much as 25 minutes, and for others 10 or 15 minutes are enough. Usually, here in Spain everyone knows how much they need.
I can`t imagine life without napping.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Hello,
I am afraid it is not possible to sleep at my work. I work in a large military unit and I, as you can suppose it can not be appropriate to sleep at work. So I hate my work and I need to change it. If somebody there in US knows any good job which I can do from Europe, please tell me anything about it. It is very nice to hear about americans who can sleep at work. It seems to me that one of the most important communist’s aims is possible there in US!
Greetings to all!
July 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Taking a nap is really an enjoyable thing at work. But it wouldn’t be that enjoyable if you’re spotted by your boss.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:36 am
In ancient time, it is usual that workmans sleep after lunch in Japan. But now, it is a taboo too in Japan. From your description, it makes sense.
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:36 am
Well, Take a nap is pretty good way to make my day better. Everyday I do it. I finish my work and go to the university by bus, sometimes the traffic is terrible and my nap during around 40 minutes! Besides that I agree with The experts, I mean, When I sleep more than 30 minutes I wake up very bad, groggy.
Best Regards and if you have free time try to take a little nap!
From Brazil
Beto
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 am
as i work with a computer, my eyes get really tired and then i have to sleep for a couple minutesafter i have my lunch. its not allowed to do so though, but the project manager i’ workin with has got the feeling that it has positive effects on me doing my task mucg=h better,hence, letting me to take my after-lunch nap. i’m working on a computational linguistic project. we are going to design, program and produce an English to Pesian translation machine, so i need my mind to be fresh to be creative. nice talk guys. catch ya later.
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:06 am
why just the large campanies allow their employees to take a nap when they want.. why the universities and the college don’t do the same ..it is really usefull to take a short nap between tow lecture, isn’t so? because i don’t have this opportunity i am forced to take a nap in the lecture time
thanks Lucy
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
In a big Steel Mill in Brazil in what I worked for, one of the partners was a Japanese Company. Their representatives used to take naps before lunch and I learned with them the benefits of these naps.It’s really refreshed.
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 am
No, Napping is generally not allowed at worlplaces in India.
Yes, I nap in the morning after doing my workout & brisk walking as I have to get up early in the morning. I am in the habit of sleeping 6 hours a day at night. It refereshes my mind and body. It’s great! I suggest it but not at workplaces.
Prinkle
India
July 7th, 2008 at 2:24 am
I nap once time at work. I really scared anybody see me. I want to stop sleeping, but i was to tired from sleepless night. When i waked up. My mind was fresh. When my job is too boring i am still learning my english from internet and keep my mind fresh.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:47 am
My workplace is a small room. my boss sits next to me so i cann’t nap.However i like this job.