The tasks of the proper organization of leisure today are most definitely set by the leaders of large companies, trying to ensure the maximum performance of their subordinates. They develop vacation programs on vacation, introduce flexible work schedules and try to dilute the daily work process with distracting activities, games and sports exercises.
The new concept of organizing daytime sleep, which is already practiced by NASA, Google and major American universities, is also becoming fashionable. In Russia, this practice is still little known, but if possible it should be followed in private. According to doctors, even a short daytime sleep is beneficial both for mental health and in terms of replenishing physical energy.
The optimal duration of sleep during the day
A person goes through a full sleep cycle in 60-90 minutes. This is enough to restore the body, smoothing out, if necessary, the shortcomings of night sleep and preparing yourself for the end of the working day. At the addictive stage, you can start with short intervals from 20 to 30 minutes.
What does a prolonged daytime sleep mean?
Short-term sleep is normal and natural in the daytime, when biorhythms and nature themselves are disposed to activity. But there are times when people sleep longer. This behavior is called dysfunctional nap, which may have reasons. For example, immersion in prolonged daytime sleep may be associated with mental illness, disorders, or the presence of another physical lesion.
Does daytime sleep affect insomnia at night?
In principle, it is important to exclude the idea that sleeping in the daytime can replace a night's rest. The rest will depend on the specific conditions. For example, if there are sufficient forces, additional rest, of course, can interfere with going to bed at night. Do not carry daytime sleep late in the evening. If we consider it as a method of restorative correction of the energy balance of forces, then problems with insomnia will not arise.
Who will not need a nap?
For children, this is a mandatory rule of rest, but adults can do without it. And the thing is not only that they are too busy or can cope with the forces that night sleep gives. People who do not like a day's rest are more likely to get no benefit from it. This is confirmed by research. If a person puts himself poorly into sleep during the day, it means that he will most likely feel even worse after trying to doze off.
How to organize a dream at work?
Again, leaders interested in maintaining the optimal working condition of their colleagues themselves organize special rooms for sleeping. If there is such an opportunity, it can be used. As an alternative, it is worth considering other options - there may be a calm and safe place to sleep for the same 20-30 minutes. If work is not far from home, it makes sense if there is a sufficient break to go home to restore tone.
Health Benefits of Afternoon Sleep
First of all, it is necessary to note the negative factors that entail the absence or lack of sleep as such - even at night, at least in the daytime. Sleep deprivation has the following consequences:
- increased risk of depression;
- increase in blood pressure;
- increased risk of diabetes and obesity;
- harmful metabolic processes;
- deterioration of the psychological state.
And again, it is worth emphasizing that daytime sleep can be considered not as a full-fledged substitute for night rest of the body, but as a way of correcting its disturbance and current support of the body in conditions of intensive work.
Prevention of burnout?
Perhaps one of the most important effects of daytime sleep, which acts quickly, is to prevent emotional burnout. Employees who experience a breakdown and chronic fatigue during daily work stress can use the rule of daytime sleep as a life-saving healing procedure. But it is important to keep in mind that with obvious signs of burnout, this self-help session is more likely to be a supportive and preventive measure, while the body may need a full-fledged vacation for several weeks.
The effect of sleep on productivity
Together with the positive health effects, one can count on an increase in employee productivity. For this reason, responsible managers of enterprises pay attention to daytime sleep, showing well-justified care for staff. Regardless of age, people who have a healthy night and daytime sleep have higher intellectual activity, the ability to better concentrate and generally perform more cognitive functions.