Napping on the Job--Good for the Company?
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: February 8, 2012
Taking a nap during the day would be a dream for most of us, although the boss may not like it, but some doctors say dozing off can improve our health and productivity. Now some companies are waking up to the idea.
Nick Herman is napping on the job, but his bosses don't mind - they encourage it. "It really rejuvenates me and gets me back and when I get back to my desk I'm much better at focusing," he says.
Herman works at Pontiflex, a mobile app advertising firm. CEO Zephrin Lasker is a big believer in naps and set up this room so employees have a quiet place to doze off. "Yeah," he says. "I try to lead by example - frequent user of the nap room."
Employees can use the room whenever they feel tired - and it's a popular place - there's almost always someone inside. According to sleep doctor Jordan Stern, "it will improve your memory, it will improve your motor skills, it may even improve your creativity, it may improve your decision making skills."
Stern says he takes his naps in this high tech energy pod - that uses special lighting and music to promote sleep. He says regular 20 minute power naps can reduce stress and lower the risk of diabetes and stroke. A Harvard study found it can even help the heart.
Dr. Stern says, "those who took a nap had less heart disease, 40% less heart disease, if they napped 3 times a week."
Pontiflex has seen the results first hand. The company believes naps make workers more productive. Herman's naps last between 15 to 30 minutes. Doctors say anything longer can lead to grogginess. Several major companies including Nike and Google allow their employees to nap.
Nick Herman is napping on the job, but his bosses don't mind - they encourage it. "It really rejuvenates me and gets me back and when I get back to my desk I'm much better at focusing," he says.
Herman works at Pontiflex, a mobile app advertising firm. CEO Zephrin Lasker is a big believer in naps and set up this room so employees have a quiet place to doze off. "Yeah," he says. "I try to lead by example - frequent user of the nap room."
Employees can use the room whenever they feel tired - and it's a popular place - there's almost always someone inside. According to sleep doctor Jordan Stern, "it will improve your memory, it will improve your motor skills, it may even improve your creativity, it may improve your decision making skills."
Stern says he takes his naps in this high tech energy pod - that uses special lighting and music to promote sleep. He says regular 20 minute power naps can reduce stress and lower the risk of diabetes and stroke. A Harvard study found it can even help the heart.
Dr. Stern says, "those who took a nap had less heart disease, 40% less heart disease, if they napped 3 times a week."
Pontiflex has seen the results first hand. The company believes naps make workers more productive. Herman's naps last between 15 to 30 minutes. Doctors say anything longer can lead to grogginess. Several major companies including Nike and Google allow their employees to nap.
