Summary

Taking a short midday nap at work is beneficial for productivity and overall well-being, despite societal stigmas.

Abstract

The article "Why taking a Midday Nap at Work is a Good Idea" argues that a brief nap during work hours, known as a power nap, can significantly enhance an employee's productivity and mood. It suggests that such naps, typically lasting between 10 to 20 minutes, align with the body's natural circadian rhythms, which peak in the afternoon around 2 pm. This siesta-like practice is supported by scientific research indicating that napping can lead to relaxation, reduced fatigue, increased alertness, improved mood, and better performance. However, the article also acknowledges that societal norms often discourage napping, leading to a stigma that may prevent workers from reaping these benefits. The article cites the town of Ador in Spain, which legally recognized the right to an afternoon nap, as an example of how workplaces could adopt more nap-friendly policies without significantly disrupting the workday.

Opinions

The author believes that midday naps are not only beneficial but also a natural bodily need, as indicated by circadian rhythms.
It is the author's opinion that the stigma against napping at work is unfounded and counterproductive.
The article suggests that organizations should embrace power naps as a means to boost productivity and employee well-being.
The author criticizes the societal pressure to remain active throughout the workday, despite the body's signals for rest.
There is an acknowledgment that while napping has benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone and could potentially lead to sleep inertia or nighttime sleep problems for some individuals.
The author supports the idea of a legally recognized right to a midday nap, as exemplified by the town of Ador, but cautions against excessively long naps that could be counterproductive.

Why taking a Midday Nap at Work is a Good Idea

Not only a good idea, it is actually needed

Last Sunday I slept an hour in the afternoon. This was a bit unusual for me, but I guess my body needed it.

During the week, while at work, this is not possible for me. Certainly not an hour. But, what about a smaller snooze?

Power Nap

Sometimes the body does ask for some small amount of rest. It can be as small as 10 minutes and no more than 20 minutes. A power nap. A longer sleep seems to work to the contrary — draining the body of the energy needed to carry on activities afterward.

When I have resisted this, on some occasions I have ended up falling asleep on the sofa at odd hours such as 6 or 7 pm.

Benefits

Studies have shown that the power nap is normal and actually beneficial. Circadian rhythms may be the reason behind the body demanding rest in the afternoon. It is believed that ‘sleep signals’ peak at night around 3 am and in the afternoon around 2 pm.

A Sleep Foundation article states “The circadian rhythm dips and rises at different times of the day, so adults’ strongest sleep drive generally occurs between 2:00–4:00 am and in the afternoon between 1:00–3:00 pm, although there is some variation depending on whether you are a “morning person” or “evening person”.”

The benefit is not just for the person taking it, but for the organization he or she works for. The person who takes the power nap is likely to be more productive the rest of the day, than the one who needed it but did not take it.

Mayo Clinic mentions the following benefits from a nap:

Relaxation

Reduced fatigue

Increased alertness

Improved mood

Improved performance, including quicker reaction time and better memory

There are also some drawbacks, so it is not for everyone:

Sleep inertia

Nighttime sleep problems

Social Norms

Yet, our norms are such that, this is still unacceptable in many circles — whether in the workplace or at home. And among the ones who manage to take a quick nap, many have to do so in secrecy joined with guilt and remorse. Literally, they have to feel sorry for being more productive.

Why do we as a society and in the workplace, hold on to principles that do not make sense? Why do we put pressure on people to do things that are contrary to what their very body is demanding?

I am not talking about those who laze the afternoon away. I am talking about working people who need a nap and who can be better employees after they take one. Yet, they and this act are frowned upon too often.

Siesta

In 2015, in the town of Ador, near Valencia, in Spain, the right to an afternoon nap or ‘siesta’ was made into a law. They seemed to have taken it to an extreme though by making it 3 hours long. Other than being able to enforce this legally, I don’t think that such a long break is necessary. Also, I am not sure that people will return comfortably from a three hour break and be productive.

Allowing a 15–20 minute nap time, though — not phone/internet/social media/etc time, but a true break such as sleep or meditation, at a time best suited for each individual, will actually benefit many. Especially with the stigma removed.

Will some abuse it? Yes, they will. But we cannot punish everyone who actually needs it based on the few.