What happened to the days of laying your head on your desk and drifting off for 20 minutes of bliss? Though most of us haven't enjoyed naptime since elementary school, some scientists say naps aren't just for 6-year-olds. According to this washingtonpost.com article, "sleep scientists have discovered advantages to napping, which they view not just as solace but also as something akin to brain food."
The article cites a 25-year survey conducted by researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel showing that naps, when taken in the workplace, can increase productivity and reduce "general crabbiness." Other experiments echo those findings. For example, Matthew A. Tucker of Harvard Medical School discovered that a 45-minute nap can enhance the ability to perform tasks relying on memory.
As a result, some companies are making nap rooms available to their employees, or encouraging them to relive their elementary school days by resting at their desk. One New York City sleep salon, Yelo, is taking advantage of the trend by offering a place for clients to nap for 20-to-40 minutes at a time.
To read more about the growing acceptance of napping, and to determine if you could use more naps, check out the book Take a Nap! Change Your Life, by Sara Mednick, or utilize her website.