Napping can net in tangible benefit
The next time you are caught napping at your workplace do not fret! If your boss catches you dozing off at your desk, you can be cool because you now have solid scientific research on your side that proves napping at work to be beneficial.
The reason for this ‘sleepy’ inclination of employees during work hours is that men and women today are drastically deprived of sleep due to trends like flexitime, moonlighting and 24/7 work environments. The consequences of sleep deprivation are- reduced concentration, creativity, and accidents at work. It affects interpersonal skills as well. On an individual level, it can cause disorientation, mood swings and inability to focus. The fallout of this can affect business and social interactions at the workplace.
Research establishes that adequate sleep is essential for a person’s mental and physical health. It improves productivity and efficiency. Considering the benefits of sleep companies have begun to view napping at work less seriously and some are even encouraging their employees to indulge in small naps during work hours.
Organisational experts, HR professionals and doctors have woken up to the fact that sleep is very vital for human productivity. As a research report says, “For 92.5 per cent of workers, an afternoon nap increases their productivity, and their creativity and problem solving skill.”
Companies have begun to realise that a sleep-deprived individual will just not work to his optimal level and this means less productivity and waste of resources, the employee will just sit and stare at his computer without actively engaging in any work or he may attend a meeting and be disengaged from all the discussion. The same employee will work better if he is allowed to take a short nap. The nap will rejuvenate him and help him to concentrate on his work. When companies allow employees to take coffee breaks to refresh themselves that is anyway done with the help of artificial stimulants, a healthier alternative like a power nap should be welcome.
As William A. Anthony, and Camille W. Anthony, authors of
The Art of Napping at Work, say, “Workplace napping is a natural, no-cost way to increase worker productivity.” They say that employees who work in shifts, sales personnel, accountants and people who drive heavy vehicles found that napping can improve concentration, productivity, efficiency and reduce stress.
So with such advantages to its credit, some companies have set up ‘napping rooms’ where employees can catch up on their sleep and dream blissfully oblivious to the fact that they are actually in office.
When employees have options to use a fitness gym, practise yoga, meditation or aerobics at the workplace, napping cannot be far behind. Companies are now promoting napping seriously among their employees. They realise its benefits on their performance - better output, greater team spirit and better concentration. Compared to the downside like accidents at work, low morale and problems in interpersonal relations, the benefits of napping are worthwhile.
Before allowing employees to avail of the options, the job description must be clear so that employees know what they have to do and the deadlines so that they do not take the napping choice for granted. The napping must be done in a limited space and there should be a time limit.
Researchers say that the ideal duration of such a power nap is between 15 to 30 minutes, enough to refresh employees. Yet most companies have not taken to the idea of allowing their employees to sleep at work, for fear of being portrayed as being lazy and unprofessional. But this mindset will change and napping will soon be accepted like teleworking or flexitime that have become popular trends.
Sleep is a natural human need that cannot be ignored and neglecting this need can do more harm than good in today’s dynamic work environment. So the next time you feel like dozing off at your desk, do it and your boss will overlook it!
HEMA GOPALAKRISHNAN
faqs@cnkonline.com
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Opportunities
