Published by Programme B
Workplace amenities are more common in modern officers such as open office plans, game rooms, and daily yoga classes because they improve the productivity of workers. These amenities provide a break for workers and a diversion from their daily grind. While the benefits of a ping pong table are still debated, there is one amenity that costs the company nothing and is accessible to all employees. This has also been scientifically proven to boost performance and it is napping.
Why People Need Naps
Experts agree that the best indicator of work performed during the day is the sleep someone has the night before. The problem is that adults are sleeping less and less partially due to increasing off-hour work duties and the increase in sleep stopping blue-green light from laptops and smartphones. This has led to more workers feeling tired and sleeping on the job and that is a safety risk.
Most people also suffer from early afternoon slumps that are marked by sleepiness, reductions in concentration and productivity. This is not related to food intake but can be worsened by a carbohydrate-heavy lunch. It is actually an inescapable part of the natural circadian rhythm. It has been seen in night-shift workers who have acclimated their schedule. Their post-launch performance and awareness also start to lag.
The Benefits Of Napping At Work
There are a lot of benefits to napping. A short nap at midday can improve reaction times, learning, memory, motor skills, and communication. The positive benefits of a longer nap of 30 to 60 minutes are greater and will last for a longer period of up to 6 hours after the nap. This is due to the time spent in deeper non-REM sleep.
Of course, after a long nap, you will have to overcome a short time of sleep inertia where performance is reduced immediately after waking up. Professionals who are very busy, a very short nap of 7 to 10 minutes can increase alertness substantially.
Regardless of the length of the nap, the improvements in cognitive function will result in an increase in productivity over the workday. Napping has been shown to directly increase the performance of pilots, nurses, professional drivers, physicians, and air traffic controllers. However, the benefits of napping will extend beyond cognitive abilities.
Naps will also reduce the frequency and risk of illness as well as reducing cortisol levels and inflammation. Workers who took a siesta at least 3 times a week have been found to have a reduced risk of coronary disease. Napping will also reduce a worker’s perception of fatigue while boosting happy feelings and positive thinking. There are some of the reasons why employers should look at embracing workplace napping if they want to see gains in productivity. Employers will also have a healthier and happier workforce that is less likely to take sick days and face expensive medical bills.
Perhaps instead of installing a ping pong table, you should consider some beds with a comfy Serta mattress.