Power lunch move over, here comes the power nap. More and more employers are finding that a little cat nap at the office can refresh, reenergize and de-stress workers. Sleeping on the job can actually be a good thing for business if everyone follows a few basic guidelines, according to Dr. Matthew Edlund, a rest, sleep and body clock expert and author of “The Power of Rest: Why Sleep Alone Is Not Enough.â€
Have a Schedule
Have a set procedure for office napping, such as a sign-up sheet for blocks of 10 to 30 minutes, preferably between 1-4 pm, when most folks nap.
Keep it Short
Short naps, between 10 and 30 minutes, tend to be most suitable, as they don’t cause sleep inertia, or that slow, dull feeling that comes with getting into deeper sleep phases. r />
Make it Quiet Time
Make it a rule that all cell phones and Blackberries are off. Even if the nap area is a multipurpose room, enforce that when you’re in there for a nap, you nap without interruptions.
Set the Scene
A nap room can be any inviting, quiet, darkened place to rest. Eye masks to block out light can really help. For a bed, many workplaces use a couch, cot for futon in a conference room. The Aminach Sapapa line of European style sofa beds make a great place for a quick snooze because they open up and close easily and blend in with office decor and they have a storage cubby underneath for pillows and blankets.
Check for Success
Managers should assess how the office nap time program is working. Do employees subjectively function better with greater productivity? Do they produce more in th
e opinion of others? Are they more creative? Evaluate what works, and change the program as you need to. Rest is regeneration. Even short naps can improve memory and productivity.
K. Pearson Brown is a writer and public relations professional in Beverly Hills. She represents a variety of home furnishing clients including Aminach.
Aminach is a contemporary design in a store that features the latest youth beds, bedroom suites and sleeping solutions, including the Sapapa collection. The store is located at 12332 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. TEL: 818.980.8045. www.sapapa.com.
