Professor William Anthony, director of Boston University’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, knew last week what he’ll be doing today.
He’ll be taking a nap.
Anthony began National Workplace Napping Day two years ago after the release of his book, “The Art of Napping at Work.” This year, April 2 is the date Anthony chose for he and his colleagues to put their feet up on their desks, make themselves comfortable and catch a little shut-eye — while remaining on the clock
Anthony said April 2 is the ideal date to hold National Workplace Napping Day because of the hour lost due to yesterday’s time adjustment.
“April 1 is the day we turn the clocks ahead,” Anthony said. “Everyone will be deprived of an extra hour of sleep on Monday.”
Anthony and his wife, Camille, wanted to enlighten America to the notion of workplace napping.
“We wanted to promote the concept of napping in your workplace,” Anthony said. “Daylight-Saving Time was the obvious time to promote the idea.”
Anthony said large amounts of sleep are important, because little sleep can hinder a student’s ability to do well in the classroom.
“If you’re sleep deprived, which many college students are, you can’t concentrate as well on your academics,” Anthony said. “Generally speaking, your productivity will be greatly decreased.”
A recent survey conducted by the World Nap Organization asked respondents about the length of their naps. Though Anthony said nap lengths vary per person, the organization reported over 75 percent of people claimed they nap for between 30 minutes and two hours.
“Some people say they get benefits out of ‘minute’ naps, but most people say they need to nap at least 20 minutes,” Anthony said.
Anthony identified napping for the wrong amount of time as another problem. Waking up in the middle of a sleep cycle, such as after an hour, makes people more tired than they were before, according to Anthony.
“If people nap an hour, and wake up in an hour from a deep sleep, they feel more tired,” he said. “Some people suggest to sleep for 90 minutes to complete a sleep cycle.”
Anthony maintains a website with more information regarding napping at work and in general.
According to the website, Anthony and his wife go to businesses to give “informative and entertaining presentations on how napping at work can increase worker productivity, safety and morale.” The site also offers books about napping, T-shirts with napping slogans and door-signs to hang on the office door knob when taking that much needed siesta.
Since Anthony’s job is such an involved one, napping is sometimes needed. As the director of BU’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, he helps people with mental illnesses overcome them.
“We do research training and service projects around the country related to rehabilitating people with severe mental illness,” Anthony said.
However, today will be a different type of day for Anthony. He’ll take some time out to celebrate National Workplace Napping Day, the holiday he and his wife created two years ago.
“Sure, I plan to take a nap. I don’t know what time it will be at, but I certainly will,” he said.
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