Power Naps Are Good for Your Employees

Aug 24

Being a big fan of the afternoon power nap, I’m always on the lookout for data to substantiate my position that napping is good. I’ve used the “Einstein, Churchill and Edison always took afternoon naps” rationale, but in our modern age those references are getting a bit dated (plus I get reminded that I’m no Einstein, and that’s a bummer). So, when I saw a recent article in USA Today about the sleep deprived at work, it awakened me from my slumber.

Companies Try To Help Workers Sleep More cites a study by the National Sleep Foundation that says, “[M]any workers are groggy at their desks or on the factory floor. Research shows that drowsy workers are more likely to have accidents, that many suffer from sleep-related health problems, and that lack of sleep means they can feel unfulfilled on the job.” That has some big effects on HR. Being drowsy at work is the equivalent of being drunk.

“People who nap — be it for a few minutes or a few hours — can improve their mood and productivity,” says sleep researcher Bill Anthony of Boston University in Profiting from Nonproductiveness. The Wired article showcases MetroNaps, the brainchild of Arshad Chowdhury, “who, when he was working as a banker in New York City…noticed people around him falling asleep in meetings, and even sneaking off to bathrooms just to catch a midday snooze.” Enter the MetroNaps Pod (pictured above):

MetroNaps provides America with mid-day rest facilities: a clean, comfortable place to take a nap. MetroNaps was born from the realization that many employees spend significant amounts of their day dozing at their desk or catching powernaps in odd places. We seek to be the premier provider of professional nap centers in the United States.

Founded in 2003 and researched and tested at Carnegie Mellon University, MetroNaps has developed a process and facilities to help maximize the rejuvenating effects of a brief rest. Combined, the MetroNaps Method and the MetroNaps Pod provide our customers with the quick recharge needed so they can do more with their day, both professionally and personally.

NapPasses can be purchased for $14 each, and MetroNaps Pods can be installed at work, too.

For those of you out there who would like to nap, but feel like if you “nap” it’ll be for the rest of the day, the Caffeine Nap is for you. Here’s how it works: Gulp down a cup of coffee and then immediately take a 15-minute nap. It works. Set an alarm, wake up, and you’ll be some kind of refreshed. Okay, I feel better about my afternoon nap already.

Would napping help your employees? What if the next Einstein is working at your shop right now? Do you have a napping policy in place? Comments are open below. We’d love to hear what you have to say. Unless it’s when I’m taking my nap.

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About the Author

Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.