The Power Of A Quick Nap In The Middle Of Your Workday

The art and science of taking a brief snooze at work to keep your productivity up and stress levels low

For many people, a cup of coffee is the perfect pick-me-up to help them sail through office hours. By afternoon though, energy levels drop. Should you go for that second cup now, or push through? Take a nap.

There's growing evidence on the benefits of taking a short nap during office hours to recharge, increase efficiency, boost memory and generally, feel better.

A 2023 study by the University College London, concluded that brief afternoon naps could be restorative as well as re-energizing and beneficial to brain health.

They can even improve alertness and the speed of your work by providing rest and relaxation, adds Shobha N., a consultant neurologist at Bengaluru's Manipal Hospital, Malleswaram. "Even physical performance can improve with slumber.

It also helps reduce stress levels and boosts the immune system. Some studies have shown that naps twice a week were associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases," she says.