Napping

I think I’ll take (yawn) a nap.

Can you picture saying this to your boss or your business partner at 2:00 on a weekday afternoon?

The answer is probably “no.”

I thought it would be fun to write a blog on taking a nap at work since this seems to be a trend in our business literature these days.

And, their arguments are compelling.

So, I got to thinking if their arguments are so good, why are we not having everyone take a 20-minute nap, every afternoon?

I’m not going to discredit these studies; I’m sure they were perfectly researched and cited. But the bottom line is I do not want to take a nap every day. I gave that up in first grade and am not planning to restart them until deep into my retirement years.

Here are four observations for you to consider if you are thinking about constructing a nap room in your workspace.

A good night’s sleep is a must-eight hours or more uninterrupted sleep is what everyone needs.

Before considering allowing naps, it would be prudent to see if all your employees are getting that level of slumber. Television, video games, cards, late-night reading, and sleep disorders should all be addressed before allowing naps to become part of your workplace. Having an employee play Grand Theft Auto all night and then nap during the day does not sound like a good business plan.

Psalm 127:2 says:

It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

God wants all of his people to sleep well.

Evaluate your employee’s work assignments. Is their work so boring, tedious and tiring that they need a nap? Are their changes you can make that will make the job assignments more interesting and stimulating? Can you install standing desks, offer a change in work assignments, or allow job share or job rotations?

Productivity is one of the top issues in allowing naps. Is there a point in your office’s process during the day that productivity suffers? While this may be the appropriate time to allow a nap, it might also be the appropriate time to institute a change in the process that will allow a diversion for the employees and will re-stimulate them yet will keep your productivity moving forward.

Workday naps are a realistic alternative. Several well-managed companies have successfully implemented workday naps. If that is the solution you think is best for your employees and your company, do not be afraid of it.

It is interesting that God is concerned about sleep.

I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around. (Psalm 3:5-6)

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

Sleep, whether at night or a rejuvenating nap during the day, is God desire for you.

Turn all your worries over to God, and he will give you the sleep you need.