Why Napping at Work Might Be a Good Idea

Why Napping at Work Might Be a Good Idea July 14, 2017

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I work from home, so unless I’m on a conference call, I can take a nap where and when I want, without a boss seeing. But would I want to? A recent article in the New York Times makes a case for napping.  Some excellent points, including:

  • Telling people to work on their work-life balance and manage their inbox is not enough: the problem is more structural: the modern workplace is one where people are always stressed, and expect to be stressed.
  • Work expectations haven’t caught up to our always-on society. We need to do more to help people learn how to set boundaries around their email and other productivity addictions (I thought I coined that phrase, but then I Googled it. Apparently it is already recognized as a thing. I’ve been trying not to answer email on weekends, myself. Getting better at it.)
  • Deep creativity and concentration are pretty much shot in the foot by continually doing the little things that make us feel like we’re being nibbled to death by ducks.*  We need a rhythm of rest and recharging.

The unsustainable pace of modern society, as you know, is one serious concern of mine, for a number of reasons that range from my being a bit of a Hauerwasian to a bit of a middle-aged person. So it’s nice to know that taking a nap is one way to stand athwart the tide. It seems a very Chestertonian thing to do. So, on Bastille Day, I shall go do it, murmuring Vive la résistance!  This is definitely middle age talking, but I’m getting more and more inclined to sign up for any revolution that requires napping.

 

*(I’ve been saying that my whole life. I suddenly thought: why do people say that?  If you’re as much of a linguistic nerd as I am, enjoy this forum at the Straight Dope about where that and other phrases come from.)

Image: Pixabay


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