Do you take short naps while working from home?
sometimes I take some short naps, 10 to 15 min afternoon. It always seems to give me a boost for the left hours. Also I usually do it when I have a problem that I don't know how I'm going to solve, but after the nap I feel like my brain is completely fresh and prepared to solve it. It's like a hidden superpower. I don't understand why people don't talk openly about more that and pretend they are always productive.
I feel like I'm too wired during the day to take naps. I'd just be lying in bed thinking about whatever I need to do next for the duration of the "nap"; not enough time to fall asleep.
At my old office we had nap rooms. They weren't called that, but that's what they were. They had large double-bed-sized couches with blankets and pillows, dim lighting that could be turned off completely, and just a very cozy vibe. Sometimes I'd manage to sleep there over lunch, but I later realized it was when I was just generally sleep deprived. When I started getting more sleep at night, the naps stopped working and I'd spend lunchtime reading in the nap rooms instead.
But what I do find helps similarly is taking walks if I'm stuck on some problem. I keep forgetting to do it, but it's happened by accident enough for me to know that it works. Sometimes I'd be stuck on some problem for a couple of hours and finally force myself to get off of the PC to walk to the grocery store for food. And within minutes the solution or at least a clear new approach to try comes to me while I'm on my way to or from the store. Often it's something I later consider to be obvious, but that I just somehow overlooked in my hours of fixating on the screen.
No, I take short working breaks from my naps
I’m in the same boat as you. Take them regularly and the payoff of spending 15 minutes on them with the increased energy/productivity the rest of the day is totally worth it.
My issue is that my 15 minute naps turn into 4 hour naps and I end up missing meetings.
I almost never feel refreshed after a nap. I feel good, but will stay for hours in a sleepy state.
I tried the coffee then sleep thing, shorter naps, etc. Meditation like "Non Sleep Deep Rest Yoga Nidra" works better, but most days I try to wake up instead... so: coffee, or loud music, or taking a walk.
I've only been able to nap after about 4pm, too late (and recipe for falling asleep on the train...)
When ive got a problem, I take little micro-breaks, a quick walk around the garden, water the plants, checking on my cat, tidy up things in the wrong place. Maybe I'm just procrastinating instead.
Sometimes, but usually only when I am sleep deprived or feeling very understimulated. I also am bad at falling asleep quickly and tend to wake up feeling groggy and not 100% until I have some time to fully wake back up.
Of course. This is common human knowledge going back millenium haha. The siesta for when it's too hot outside to work. Or just when you get overheated with mental work. 20 mins does the trick.
I use short meditative kind of walks in a park instead to the same effect.
If I'm particularly sleep deprived, I might manage to swap lunch with an hour nap, but usually I'm drowsy enough to feel tired but not to pass out.
No, only long naps, else it is not worth the pay.
Yes and it 2x’es my productivity when I do. Sure I’ll come in and chat idly at the office because “WFH bad”.
Walks at lunch time or before or after work. Naps, no. The half hour saved in commuting can go into later waking.
Yes! Same reason: a quick nap clears the mind, and I always end up ahead.
yes, if I got crap sleep the night before or feel sluggish.
usually I'm fine