What do you do when you feel tired at work? Some people will reach for a cup of coffee or perhaps a sugary snack but there may be another idea that is well worth considering.

If you live in a part of the world where businesses shut down in the afternoon for a siesta, you probably don’t have to worry about it. If you work in North America, however, the thought of napping while you are at work is typically off the table. That doesn’t mean it isn’t beneficial and if you can fit in a power nap, you may find that you get more done in the afternoon.

Sara C. Mednick, PhD, sleep expert and author of Take a Nap! Change Your Life says, “You can get incredible benefits from 15 to 20 minutes of napping. You reset the system and get a burst of alertness and increased motor performance. That’s what most people really need to stave off sleepiness and get an energy boost.”

Sleep deprivation is more serious of an issue than most people realize. Lack of sleep may interfere with:

mental clarity
reaction time
memory creation
mood
stress management
blood pressure and heart health
metabolism

There have been some workplaces in North America that are coming around to the benefits of the afternoon nap. They may even encourage employees to recharge so they are more creative and productive in the second half of the day.

Google is one of the companies that is known for their power nap policy. David Radcliffe—Vice President, Real Estate and Workplace Services— is reported as saying, “No workplace is complete without a nap pod.” The founder of Huffington Post, Ariana Huffington also suffered from sleep deprivation so nap rooms are now provided for employees. Other companies that take advantage of naps include Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, NASA and many others.

You Need to Power Nap the Proper Way

It isn’t enough to simply go into your boss and tell them that you demand some nap time at work. Optimizing the time you spend taking a nap can help in so many different ways, including boosting energy, reducing stress and clearing your mind.

Do:

Limit your nap to 20 minutes. Much longer can make you feel more groggy afterwards.

Get cozy with a blanket. The warm temperature can help you fall asleep faster and get quality rest.

Nap at the same time every day. Selective

Don’t:

Nap after 3:00 pm. Late naps can interrupt your nighttime sleep cycle and make you more tired in the long run.

Try to sleep in a noisy or bright environment.

Power nap if you have an existing sleep condition. Sometimes daytime naps can worsen these.

Try This Napping Office Chair on for Size

Japanese retailer Thanko is on the right track with their “Lay Flat Office Chair.” It may seem like a normal chair when you first look at it but it converts easily to an office bed. All of that convenience will set you back about $600.

If you are more budget conscious, you can get the Happybuy Executive Swivel Office Chair on Amazon.

h/t: TheHeartySoul