The primary effect this has on me is the post-lunch nap. Sometimes, I get painfully, unbelievably sleepy at lunch. As I've blogged before, I can usually alleviate this problem in about 10 minutes with a desk nap. It's all I need - to put my head down for 10 minutes and when I wake up again, I am generally really refreshed and ready to go.
Except that I feel certain that it would be frowned upon for me to do that. Even though no one cared in grad school.
The frustrating thing is, I *know* that if I just did it, I would be much more productive, but instead, I spend 45 minutes to an hour, just suffering and trying to fight it out. Staring at computer screens or pages and blinking, trying hard to almost fall asleep but not. I try some caffeine, but not too much because I don't want to be kept up at night, and chances are by the time the caffeine kicks in, I'll have slipped out of the danger zone anyway. I literally lose an hour-ish a day in this zombie-zone, and it drives me crazy.
I'm not sure if I should bring this up to anyone/my boss and just say, "look. I need a 10 minute snooze, and I promise you I'll be better for it."
What do you guys think? I think it really depends on the work environment, and I'm not sure how mine would take this.
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10 comments:
Could you find somewhere quiet (where fewer people are likely to see you) that is not your desk and take your nap while "still on your lunch break"? Alternatively would a 10-minute postprandial walk outside help? Sometimes fresh air kicks the sleepies for me.
I am jealous of your power napping abilities. I cannot do it.
Anyhow, I second AA. That's the only way I can get over my food coma. I go for a walk somewhere (usually to the library), even if it isn't outside, just the moving around bit can help me get out of the sleepy zone.
When I had a desk job I used to keep a blanket in my desk drawer, and I'd crawl under my desk (granted I had an office with a door too) and nap for the last 10 minutes of my lunch break. In the absence of an office I like AA's suggestion...find a nice quiet secluded place.
Good luck!
Totally depends on work environment. I've worked places where many people took a short nap on their office floor in the afternoon, and I've worked places where that would be completely frowned on. If you're new on the job, I would wait a bit until (a) you have a better sense of how it would be viewed; and (b) people know you better, so they're less likely to judge you for napping, if they do think it's weird. In the mean time, the post-lunch walk is an excellent idea.
It's well proven that an afternoon sleep boost business productivity. Some companies have invested in quiet sleep zones for their staff. Do a web search and suggest this to your company senior management. Don't forget to mention that (a) other businesses have recognised this fact (b) power naps boost profits ! ;)
Take your nap! Are there lounges or somewhere that you can snooze for the last 10 minutes of your lunch? If it's during your lunch break, I can't see how anyone could complain.
The image to keep in mind is a picture of you drooling on yourself in the workplace and circulated via email, possibly with humorous caption attached. It might be meant as a joke and not serious, but try living it down.
I take my lunch way later than everyone else so I don't get that post-lunch drain. Instead of taking it at noon I usually take mine about 2:30, and have a little to eat during the day. This also releaves my post-lunch, I don't care about this anymore attitude.
Oh I am so screwed in industry. I love nothing more than putting my head down on my desk when I feel the need, or hiding in the instrument room. I have not heard single friend in industry here tell me that they get a quick snooze. I guess I shall have to be the instigator!
Good luck Phizz!
i just found out a coworker takes naps at his desk. he's never mentioned it to the boss, but he does it. so maybe i'm good to do it too! :)
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