Study: Napping During The Workday Could Result In Better Productivity, Safety

ANN ARBOR, MI (CBS) – Want to perform better on the job? A brief midday nap could help you do just that.

According to new research from the University of Michigan, napping on the job could actually result in a boost in productivity.

Researchers say they studied how a short nap affected "adults' emotional control" using 40 people between 18 and 50 who were randomly assigned either an hour-long nap or no nap and a nature video.

Participants also completed computer tasks and answered a questionnaire on their mood and sleepiness.

The scientists say that those who napped were able to spend more time completing a complicated task versus those who'd gone sleep-less. The people who had napped also said they felt less impulsive than those who didn't.

"Our results suggest that napping may be a beneficial intervention for individuals who may be required to remain awake for long periods of time by enhancing the ability to persevere through difficult or frustrating tasks," said Jennifer Goldschmied, a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology and the study's lead author.

Researchers call on-the-job napping a "cost-efficient and easy strategy to increase workplace safety" in the write up, which is published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.