Napping at work is good, study says

A NAP at work does not keep productivity away.

The time out after a 9-5 work schedule could mean it’s time to sleep to regain energy for another day of hustle. But a study shows that you really don’t have to wait for your shift to end to energize, as napping at work can change how you perceive productivity.

According to the 2022 study by the National Sleep Foundation, an American non-profit organization that provides expert information about health-related issues concerning sleep, napping at work is highly beneficial for top-grade work performance.

The science of sleeping

The Sleep Foundation report said that almost every system in the body is supported by sleep. Human muscles gradually relax while humans sleep, close their eyes, and slow breathing. The brain’s neurons enter a sleeping state, starting a variety of biochemical functions that renew the human body and mind. 

Human cardiovascular and immune systems, as well as the individual’s capacity to think effectively, pick up new knowledge, and regulate their emotions, all depend on the regeneration that sleep provides, said the report.

Benefits of napping while working

Napping at work might be unethical in the eyes of a boss but according to the Sleep Foundation, napping while in the middle of a work shift can help an employee deal with the following:

• Better focus, attention, and vigilance
• Fewer “microsleeps”
• Fewer errors and omissions
• Faster reaction times
• Lower likelihood of work-related anger, irritability, or stress
• Fewer extreme emotions
• Lower long-term risk for anxiety and depression that lower job performance

Effects of not getting enough sleep

Working while sleepy can have a major negative influence on job productivity. The body’s systems perform less than ideal when humans don’t get enough sleep. Overworked brains, on the other hand, neurons slow down physical responses, impede reasoning, and leave people feeling emotionally depleted, said the report.

Citing a University of Michigan study, the American Psychologists Association said that those who woke up after a 60-minute midday nap were less impulsive and had a better tolerance for frustration in contrast to participants who watched an hour-long nature documentary instead of napping.

Well, your boss might be mad if you are napping at work, but it might be time to make some changes if sleep loss leaves you feeling absurdly lethargic at work. Consistently getting sufficient sleep can work on improving your efficiency at work, speed up your situational awareness, and provide you with additional energy throughout the day. 

Napping at work isn’t bad. It’s productive. So, let’s call it a day.