Management Tip of the Day: Take a Nap at Work

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 11, 2011 Take a Nap at Work Research shows that the more hours you work continuously, the greater the toll on your performance. You can greatly improve your productivity by taking a short nap. Think taking a nap at work is crazy? Here are three ways to make it happen: Schedule a time. Between 1pm and 3pm is the best time. Mark it in your calendar so you are more likely to take it. Find a quiet place. Close your door and put up a "do not disturb" sign. If you work in a cubicle, look for a conference room, or a local coffee shop or library. Tune out. Turn off your technology and set an alarm for 20 or 30 minutes (longer naps can leave you hazy). Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Even if you don't fall asleep, this relaxation will ensure you rest. Today's Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Managing Stress. Buy the full guide to learn more about beating stress » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Guide to Managing Stress HBR OnPoint Collection Stress. We all experience some level of it most days. We know that a certain amount of stress can make us more productive. Unfortunately most of us are more familiar with the debilitating aspects of too much stress: headaches, irritability, lack of patience with colleagues and family, loss of focus and productivity, too much junk food, weight gain or loss, nails bitten to the quick. We all know what we're supposed to do to reduce stress: Get more sleep. Exercise regularly. Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol. Set priorities. Work more efficiently. Plan ahead. And yet we're more stressed out than ever, and our personal energy is tanking. Can we find new ways to boost our energy, and become more productive? ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Convince Others to Embrace Risk 3 Things Your Company Should Do on Twitter 2 Ways You Shouldn't Pitch an Idea Cope with Your Incompetent Boss Avoid Overinvesting in IT 3 Ways to Help Consumers Express Themselves 3 Areas Your Organization Must Align 3 Don'ts of Persuasion 3 Tips for Hiring Recent Graduates Compete on Analytics BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)