I’ve talked here and here about how your brain processes information during downtime, and how sleep is the ultimate downtime activity.
A new study from UC Berkley is provides yet more evidence that an hour-long nap can “dramatically boost and restore brain power.”
Being the geek that I am, I love the analogy they give. They describe our brain as an email inbox, and that when we get tired the inbound emails (information) starts bouncing. It’s only when we sleep does the inbox get sorted, filed, and cleaned out, so when we wake up again we can start accepting new emails.
So, what can you do to boost those creative juices? Workplaces run the gamut from nap-friendly to, well, not, so I have a variety of options for you:
- Find out if you workplace has a napping room. Oftentimes it is also the same room that mothers use for nursing. I’ve worked in some large corporations that offer such a luxury — you just have to ask around.
- Realize that napping is NOT a sign of weakness. In just 20 minutes you can come back refreshed, smarter, and more productive then the guy or gal in the cubicle over who decided to try to take care of the mid-afternoon lull with a bag of skittles and a cup of coffee.
- You don’t need an hour. Even 10 minutes can make a HUGE difference.
- If you can’t nap, find some place quiet to just chill out for a bit. No taking work, or going on break with co-workers. Empty conference rooms, break rooms, and the great outdoors all work well. Block out your calendar and make it look as if you have left for a meeting, and you are golden.
What creative strategies do YOU have for getting your mid-day recharge?
About Jen Waak