Sleep on the job, office workers told

An employee takes a nap in a nap pod which blocks out light and sound at the Google headquarters in Mountain View.

An employee takes a nap in a nap pod which blocks out light and sound at the Google headquarters in Mountain View.

Published Mar 8, 2013

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London - A National Health Service adviser has told office workers to keep a pillow under their desk in case they feel sleepy.

Jayne Morris, the “life coach” for NHS Online, suggested overworked employees should grab 20-minute power naps in the middle of the day, regardless of where they are.

She said: “Release any inner gremlins telling you that you are lazy.”

Sleeping at work may not go down well with bosses but, she added, it could prevent stress and re-energise staff more than a cup of tea or coffee.

“Naps can be taken almost any time, any place, if you get creative,” she said.

Morris recommended wearing ear plugs and an eye mask and closing the blinds.

She said: “Sleep is one of the most important things our bodies need, yet often what we cut out when we get caught up burning the candle both ends.

“If you find yourself fighting fatigue during the day, try taking a power nap.”

This can be any time, anywhere, she said, even “at the back of a yoga or Pilates class”.

“Research indicates that a short 20-minute snooze is all it takes to lower stress hormone levels and super charge your stamina,” she added.

But Matthew Sinclair, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said it was “astonishing” NHS Online was spending money on a life coach.

He added: “It is all the more absurd that the coach is suggesting that office workers sleep on the job. If they’re taking that advice seriously, it’s little wonder the economy is stagnating.” - Daily Mail

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