Nap takers on why they microsleep on the job, from instant recharge to creativity boost

A short power nap helps you recharge and makes you more alert, advocates say. Studies show it can also boost memory

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Naps should be in the 15- to 20-minute range, Rowley says. ‘Anything longer, and you can have problems with sleep inertia, difficulty waking up, and you’re groggy.’
Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 11:15am, 12 Feb 2025Updated: 12:32pm, 12 Feb 2025

They snooze in parking garages, on side streets before the afternoon school run, in nap pods rented by the hour or stretched out in bed while working from home.

People who make a habit of sleeping on the job comprise a secret society of sorts.

Today’s nap-takers often sneak in short rest breaks because they think it will improve their performance – but worry about the stigma.

Studies have extolled the benefits of napping, such as enhanced memory and focus. A midafternoon siesta is the norm in parts of Spain and Italy. In China and Japan, nodding off is encouraged since working to the point of exhaustion is seen as a display of dedication, according to a study in the journal Sleep.

Sleep is important for your physical and mental health, and short naps can help recharge you. Photo: Shutterstock

Yet it is hard to snooze during regular business hours in the United States, where people who nap can be viewed as lazy. The US federal government even bans sleeping in its buildings while at work, except in rare circumstances.

Individuals who are willing and able to challenge the status quo are becoming less hesitant to describe the payoffs of taking a dose of microsleep. Marvin Stockwell, the founder of public relations firm Champion the Cause, in the state of Tennessee, takes short naps several times a week.