A lot of companies are now encouraging their employees to snooze at work and boost their productivity.
Could napping at work actually increase productivity? A NASA study backs up the claim. The study shows that a nap of just 26 minutes can boost performance by as much as 34 percent.
Some companies are starting to respond to sleep-deprived workers by providing the time and space to nap during work hours. Studies show tired workers cost business about $150 billion a year in lost productivity.
Napping Tips
Here are some of tips from Dr. Sara Mednick and tidbits on making the most of your nap times:
- Prime nap time is 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. That minidip in energy you experience is biological, not because you just ate lunch, Mednick said.
- Stage 2 Sleep. There are different phases of sleep. Within 20 minutes, you experience "Stage 2" sleep, which increases alertness and motor skills.
- Slow Wave Sleep. Within 40 minutes, you'll experience slow wave sleep, which increases memory.
- REM Sleep. This is deep sleep you'll get if you nap for up to 90 minutes, and it increases creativity.
Low light and low noise will help you fall asleep faster.
Studies show that naps up to 90 minutes won't interfere with your sleep at night, so don't sleep too long. And don't nap within three hours of bedtime.
See some Famous nappers.
- Winston Churchill – said he needed his afternoon nap to cope with his responsibilities.
- Thomas Edison attributed his tremendous amount of energy to sleeping whenever he wanted to.
- John D. Rockefeller took a nap every afternoon in his office.
- Eleanor Roosevelt was known to take a nap before a speaking engagement.
- William J. Clinton retired to his private quarters every afternoon at 3:00 for a 30-minute nap.
- Connie Macktook a nap before every game.
- Gene Autry used to take an hour nap in his dressing room between performances.
- Ronald Reagan has the ultimate napping reputation even though his wife denies that he had a napping habit.
