Take Naps at Work
nytimes.com
nytimes.com
I've noticed I have a general "sleep momentum" problem. It takes me longer than average to fall asleep, and longer than average to wake up. On both ends of the cycle, I struggle. I wish there was a solution.
I do find myself taking what I call 'zen moments' throughout the day. They aren't ever intentional, but it feels so good when one comes on. And it helps.
But it's not a replacement for a good night's sleep in my case.
Storytime: I once interviewed for job in Delaware. It was exhausting. I did great in the interviews, but my mind was burned out after all the technical questions. So I asked if they had a spot where I could nap for a few minutes. They were a bit puzzled, but showed me to a spot where I could sit in a chair and lean back to nap. It was great and I got the job - it wasn't till months later that they mentioned they almost didn't hire me because of the nap incident during the interview!
So, I do recommend naps at work, but I'd say not everyone will understand if you nap at your first onsite interview. YMMV ;)
Fortunately attitudes seem to finally be changing about sleep and brain optimization.
Other places I've sometimes found places under stairwells on bottom floors or used one of the phone rooms. 10 ~ 15 min is all you need really. Then just inject yourself with two more cups of coffee, put on your headphones and code monkey away.
I realize the IT field is kinda unique in that people can get away with this, at least with good managers who care more about your output and deliverables than the amount of time you're at your desk.
I'm sure I'm being stereotypical but I just known them as taking long naps and lunches. Not necessarily boosting their effectiveness or country wide GDP as a result.
And not only Spain; the majority of Mediterranean countries.
They are being stereotyped as lazy though, so not sure how this is helping with your argument.
Anecdotally, I worked in Spain a decade ago and I knew only one person who lived close enough to go home, eat and nap. Many of my colleagues were perpetually tired because they stayed up so late socialising.
In most places I've worked it would be unusual to stay at your desk for lunch, and in many places it would be discouraged. People really need to use their lunch time, however long or short, to actually take a break, not just from work but also from sitting in front of the computer, and maybe get a few minutes of fresh air and natural sunlight.
Once, I left my seat to go to Starbucks for about twelve minutes. In that time, the AVGO/BRCM merger was announced, and my BRCM position made $500k in my absence.
So there's at least one major industry in NY where it's generally discouraged for people to leave their desks.
Any suggestions on how a small office (~15 people) can have a napping area without taking on any additional custodial work?
But really you just need a closet or a small room with shutters. My building/shop had about 100 people and with those two recliners and a small futon, it worked out pretty well. There were never more than two people down there and there was an unspoken rules about .. well .. not speaking. Some people would go down there to meditate. You'd hear the chimes on their phone app.
An ordinary couch that's long enough for a person to lie down on will do. If it's vinyl / plastic covered, cleanup is a matter of wiping it down periodically. Add a couple of small cushions to act as pillows (periodically replaced for hygiene) and, voilà, you're done. If the soundproofing of the nap area is less than optimal, add an inexpensive white noise generator to help mask ambient noise.
Employees can supply their own blankets, etc. (I can't imagine that people would be particularly enthused about the idea of a shared blanket anyway.) I use a cotton hoodie in place of a blanket since the hood can be pulled down over the eyes to block out light.
Also, on behalf of myself and others, thank you for being a considerate employer and providing a nap area. I, myself, suffer from treatment resistant insomnia and I know many colleagues who have had less than a full night's sleep because of their newborns or children who would have desperately welcomed a place to nap.
Sure enough my workplace has one. There was a big thing when it was discovered that another branch, smaller but still above the threshold of employees, did not have a resting room. Not sure how that played out but essentially you have an "employee safety officer" that handles the case with the union until the requirement is met.
I go in there around 15:00 and nap for about 30 minutes, apologize to no one. It's nice and dark, you put a note on the door so no one disturbs you.
They say that any workplace with over 50 employees needs a resting room.
The alternative is sitting at my desk pretending I'm not spacing out, which is good for exactly nobody.
My current employer has a 'pool room' with couches, plants and nature sounds. Great for a brief nap.
In my experience, this sort of thing is _especially_ helpful for new parents :)
Napped at my desk.
Napped under the desk.
Napped on the couch.
Napped in my car.
Napped in a meeting.
Napped in the nap room.