Studies show that power naps at work make us more productive. At the software giant Google's headquarters, employees are actually invited to nap in an area set up for this purpose.
Here in our show's New Haven studios, my cushy, tilt-back lounge chair has served as nap central on numerous occasions, including when a new mom was up half the night, and when I had an injury from a car accident.
While some sleep experts warn against naps for clients with sleep disorders, I've always felt spectacular after a 10- to 30-minute nap, ready for action immediately and late into the night. (A 60- to 90-minute nap leaves me and study participants extremely groggy.)
Companies might not grasp the value of naps at work, at least not until they see new and old data and brain scans supporting improved concentration, better memory, and dramatically increased energy. Pose that information against the billions of dollars lost due to low worker productivity and managers might be wise to ask Google how its nap program is working out. Splendidly, it seems.
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MUSIC:
- “Gne Gne,” Montefiori Cocktail
- “The River of Dreams,” Billy Joel
- ?“Golden Slumbers,” Ben Folds
- “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite,” R.E.M.
Lori Mack and Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show.
