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Dateline: IP Clinic, Marin County, California. Researchers announced today the results of an a 25 year study on the effects of napping in industrial and post-industrial nations. The study's outcome was
clear—"for 92.5% of workers, an afternoon nap increases their productivity, and their creativity and problem solving skill." In layman's terms, they not only get more done, but their work is better, too. Antonia Will, Ph.D. and head of the prestigious MW Institute for Chronobiology, reported the findings at this week's Circadian Rhythm Kings
Conference. Her study titled, Sleep cycle distortion through industrial work hours and its effect on productivity and just general crabbiness, was hailed as a landmark by the leaders of the scientific
community. "We studied behavioral, pharmacological and immunochemical
techniques to understand how daily rhythms in mammals are regulated by photic and non-photic stimuli. We were equipped to record locomotor activity, drinking, feeding, body temperature and sleep in laboratory
rodents, the closet thing we could find to modern-day workers."
When asked to say this again in English, Dr. Will replied, "If you had taken a nap you probably would have
understood that. Sheesh. Look at those bags under your eyes." Snooze or lose After the doctor chastised the reporters present for yawning, she continued, "OK, look at it this way, sleepy heads: Sometimes you can sit at your desk
and your mind is like jello. It just sits there. Time is passing, and you're unable to think. You're awake, but non-productive. But after a good nap,
you're alert again. Your mind snaps into action and you can get more done in less time. So the time you spent napping is less than the time you would have
wasted being awake, and you've been productive, it's a double-bonus." The doctor stressed that napping was natural, and our industrial age was short-sited in abolishing it. "The siesta
was practiced for thousands of years and is based on common-sense." "Look, every other animal on the planet naps—humans have not evolved
past this basic need. People are not getting nearly enough sleep at night, and it's causing them to be less effective at work, not to mention the health problems (which also lead to increased costs for business). "In the past, 20th century companies have only counted numbers, not sheep. So they wrongly assumed that napping on the job cost them money. In
fact, today's more enlightened companies have realized that napping saves them money. So of course now they're all for it."
Corporations counting sheep not numbers "The modern day work system is not designed around the actual physical
needs of our bodies. Coffee breaks yes, napping no? Artificial stimulant vs. real rejuvenation? There's something seriously wrong there. "So my study proposes a new part of the workday: naptime.
"Morning" people probably need their nap around noon. "Night" people probably need it around three or four in the afternoon. Dr. Will is slated to appear on Regis & Kathy Lee, Rosie, and Oprah, then she
will take an afternoon nap, appear on Letterman and then take another nap before attempting the really late shows, such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien. The art of napping at work
William A. Anthony, Ph.D. and Camille W. Anthony, M.Ed, authors of
The Art of Napping at Work, say, "Workplace napping is a natural, no-cost way to increase worker productivity.
In their previous book, The Art of Napping, they explained that some of history's most important figures, including Napoleon, President Kennedy,
Winston Churchill, Thomas Edison (and many more) were all productive nappers.Their new book describes the "seven habits of highly effective workplace
nappers," and identifies, "...some worker groups that are already employing productivity napping. Pilots, sales people, firefighters, the military, shift
workers, truckers, etc. are finally going public about the benefits of napping to energize, focus and enhance job performance." While many companies have not realized the power of napping, the authors
say, "However, there are a few companies that are nap friendly and we will provide examples of how some firms are trying to make it easier for employees to nap. Nap tents, nap rooms, and what we somnolently call
"napnasiums" are finding their way into some companies. The CEO of one company currently has architects designing nap lounges into two new facilities that his very successful and expanding company is building."
Natural napping In their book, Sleep and Alertness: Chronobiological, Behavioral, and Medical Aspects of Napping, David F. Dinges and Roger J. Broughton present
extensive findings on napping patterns in adults and on the effects of napping on performance during prolonged work periods and in shift workers. Full
consideration is also given to cultural views on napping and the siesta.In this volume, leading investigators analyze napping patterns and daytime sleepiness in humans and assess the value of napping as a solution to
problems of daytime alertness. After reviewing what is currently known about polyphasic sleep in mammals, the contributors examine the development of human napping and present results of sleep latency studies
showing that from adolescence onward, pronounced sleepiness occurs in the middle of the day. Other contributors discuss the chronobiological and ultradian aspects of napping and describe napping patterns observed in
time-free environments. Full-spectrum Fitness
According to the Trends Research Institute, daytime snoozing is an important part of "full-spectrum fitness…" Full-spectrum fitness highlights
health and peace of mind so under its philosophy, a nap is considered part of a daily workout. "It will be a time to cool down, recharge the batteries and harmonize the
mind," says Gerald Celente, director of the Rhinebeck, New York-based institute, which publishes The Trends Journal.
With more workers getting out of the corporate rut, naps are once again gaining legitimacy, according to Celente. "It's going to be particularly feasible with so many people either downsized or
working at home," he says. "When companies start realizing that napping makes employees feel better, it will be recognized as a productivity booster," Celente adds. Napping links:
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