Is A Power Nap At Work A Good Idea?
Although most bosses and HR managers (at least in India) would look down on this idea, let’s face facts: most employees have dozed off at the workplace at least once during each tenure or job. Have you?
I once remember working for an IT company where the CEO had installed CCTV cameras to keep an eye on employees while he was away. This boss was away quite frequently, especially during the lunch hour. Now the thing is, I tend to feel very drowsy after lunch and a few minutes of shut eye really helps me feel fresh again. I remember literally fighting to keep my eyes open post lunch at that office because one of the cameras was right above my head!
Once upon a time, over a random chat with a fellow professional, I remember one of us saying that “the luckiest people in the world are those who get to sleep in the afternoons” – you know, this sentence (I think it was me who said it) speaks volumes! Don’t you think?
Medical science has proven that even a 20-minute power nap can boost memory and cognitive skills too! Maybe it’s time for those HR managers to listen up??
Here is why a quick power nap could (probably) be a good idea at the workplace:
-Increased productivity (it’s better to be fresh and awake rather than drowsy all day!)
-Enhanced overall health (do you know, fighting sleep can lead to other problems too!!)
-Rejuvenation (especially for those in certain fields like design, writing, etc) there will be a sudden burst of creativity (really, not kidding here).
-Better use of break-time / lunch-time (In India, we barely get a “lunch-hour” however, by inculcating a quick power nap, we are making better use of our time!)
So how could companies inculcate this at the workplace to ensure employees don’t end up sleeping all day?!
-Time gaps can be set: for instance – YOU CAN DOZE FOR 15 minutes between 1 and 2 pm!
-A roster can be made so everyone in a department doesn’t end up sleeping at the same time, thereby affecting overall efficiency
-Limited days could be set, for instance, no employee is allowed time for a power nap every day of the week: each employee can be given 2 or 3 days allowance (maybe)
So what do you think? Is taking a power-nap at work a good idea?
