Even before the start of the pandemic, 60% of Americans reported feeling exhausted at work.
And more than 20% shared that they napped in their cars during the week. I know I’ve done that before!
As more businesses have focused attention on the importance of sleep for employee and organizational wellness, some companies have even installed sleep pods in the workplace. Google, Nike and Ben & Jerry’s are a few of the corporations now providing space to help tired employees get the boost of energy and productivity that a brief nap can provide.
As the summer of 2020 draws to a close, many American employees are still working from home. So, no access to workplace sleep pods. However, by working from home (where your bed lives) a quick nap may be even more accessible.
Sleep experts share that a short nap of 10 – 20 minutes can help improve mood, alertness and performance, as well as reduce mistakes and feelings of sleepiness. Naps of more than 30 minutes, however can result in feelings of grogginess, making it harder to feel motivated.
So, when fatigue is impacting your focus and productivity, perhaps a short nap can give you just the boost you need. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that naps should be taken earlier in the day because late day sleeping can interfere with the quality of nighttime sleep.
Naps are also recommended when safety is on the line. Feeling tired before driving or operating heavy machinery? Sleeping for safety is essential.
Are naps for everyone? No. For example, if you are experiencing chronic insomnia, the use of naps during the day is an important conversation to have with your provider or sleep coach to ensure you are supporting adequate sleep drive for the night ahead.
Want to dive deeper into the topic of naps? Read through The National Sleep Foundation’s recent article on the subject.
If you need more help exploring any sleep problems you are having, contact me. As a health coach with a specialty concentration in sleep, I can work with you to identify the root cause of your sleep issues and together we will develop a customized plan for better sleep. cheri@chericoaching.com
Cheri Timmons is a Greensboro Downtown Parks program partner. The work she does with us is critical to providing FREE wellness programming to our park community. As we make our way through these unprecedented times, consider how you might support local Greensboro non-profits like us, as well as local businesses, artists, entrepreneurs like Cheri, makers, and more. We'll continue to bring you free programming through our digital platforms and look forward to having you join us and Cheri back in the parks soon!