Elon Musk has been accused of turning Twitter headquarters into a 'hotel for staff' after photos surfaced of offices turned into makeshift bedrooms. The pictures were leaked to the BBC by an ex-employee who says Musk has been sleeping at the office since his acquisition of the company where he told staff that they "will need to be extremely hardcore" in order to succeed.
San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection have since launched an investigation following the complaints citing building code violations. Musk tweeted that the city was attacking companies for providing beds to "tired employees". But sleeping on the job might be beneficial, according to sleep specialists, more workplaces in the UK provide opportunities for staff to have some shut eye to help boost productivity.
READ MORE: Jealous knifeman slashed ex's Tinder date to the face after finding them in bed together
With more and more people working from home, sleep specialist and counsellor Thomas Høegh Reisenhus, said: “Far from rendering a person lazy, daytime naps can offer many benefits, including increased focus, alertness and providing a natural mood boost. And with the majority of British adults struggling to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night, it’s the perfect time to consider whether a work-time nap is for you.
“Whilst a healthy adult doesn’t necessarily need to nap, most people can benefit from a short 20-minute power nap to help them tackle the rest of their day feeling refreshed and refocused.”
Discover, learn, grow. We are Curiously. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
According to studies sleep deprivation is costing the UK economy £37 billion a yea, with poor sleepers having reduced reaction times and trouble concentrating.
What are the benefits of a nap at work?
Aside from reducing fatigue, naps have been shown to improve alertness, focus and memory. They’ve also been proven to boost mood, increase positivity, creativity and tolerance for frustration – ideal for anyone in a busy working environment.
When should I consider a nap?
Naps aren’t just for children - if you’re experiencing fatigue or unexpected sleepiness that’s impacting your ability to focus at work, or are about to experience sleep loss (for example due to travel or shift work), it’s worth considering incorporating a nap into your daily routine.
Alternatively, if you’re experiencing insufficient sleep at nighttime, a nap may help to counteract daytime drowsiness.
When should I nap?
Research has found that napping in the early afternoon is most beneficial for improving cognitive performance.
It is advisable, though, to nap before 3pm, as any later may interfere with your ability to sleep come nighttime.
Where should I nap?
The ideal sleep environment is cool, dark and quiet – essentially like a cave. Understandably this is the complete opposite to most office environments, which are bright, busy and loud!
However, most offices do have dedicated quiet areas where, with the right kit, you can easily enjoy some shuteye. An eye mask and ear plugs are essential if you’re planning to take a nap in a less than ideal sleep environment as they help to reduce light and noise distractions, whilst a neck pillow will provide much needed comfort.
How long should I nap for?
A power nap is no longer than 30 minutes. Any longer and you’ll enter a deep phase of sleep and will experience sleep inertia – feeling groggy and disoriented after waking from a nap.
Some people enjoy a more specific type of power nap, referred to as a ‘caffeine nap’ – a lunchtime coffee followed by a 20-minute power nap. The stimulating effects of caffeine occur within 30-60 minutes of consumption, [4] so that as you wake, the benefits of your earlier caffeine fix also starts to kick in, providing a double whammy of natural and caffeine induced benefits.
Whether you prefer a traditional power nap or a supercharged caffeine nap, just make sure to set an alarm so that you don’t risk oversleeping and to allow yourself ten minutes to re-group. Try splashing some cold water on your face or spending time in natural light, before resuming work.
READ NEXT:
