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
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In