Power napping – A key to employee wellbeing

Many organisations have started to realise the importance of sleep health for their staff and the benefits of an integrated wellbeing program and its effects on employee productivity. While it may not often be addressed in a wellbeing program, sleep plays a crucial role in employee health and wellbeing. No doubt we all have various commitments outside of our professional lives and it can be difficult to obtain the recommended sleep time of 7-9 hours per night.[1]Here’s where power napping can be useful. While the sight of an employee sleeping at work is often scorned upon, overcoming this stigma can be most beneficial. Multiple studies have shown that power napping for 10-20 minutes[2]leads to better concentration and alertness, sharper memory recall, more stamina and less stress. So here are some handy tips to master the art of power napping.

Mastering the art of power napping

The key to a successful power nap is to fall asleep quickly. Regardless of where you choose to power nap, follow these tips to help you fall asleep quickly:

Flight mode on. Give yourself a break from your phone and avoid all distractions that come with it.
Eat right. The benefits of a healthy diet come into play even during a power nap. Avoid consuming caffeine, having a high fat and/or sugar diet, not too long before your nap.
Afternoon siesta. For most people, right after lunch is the best time to power nap, also evident by some of the Mediterranean countries perfecting the afternoon nap or siesta.
Establish a routine. Over time, you can train your body to quickly fall sleep by establishing a daily routine. For example, napping in the same place, at the same time, while listening to the same music will send signals to your body that it’s time to rest and rejuvenate.

Quiet room at DFP Recruitment Melbourne Head Office.

You can find a safe and quiet place for a power nap either within your organisation or externally where convenient. Some organisations have quiet areas that allow for employees to take a break or power nap should they choose to. Just ensure you don’t follow the example of George Costanza from Seinfeld for your napping habits.