According to an online survey conducted in July by Bayt.com, the region’s largest recruitment and career planning company,84 per cent of1305 respondents said that a post-lunch nap could boost their performance and concentration. The survey randomly polled people of different cultures, lifestyles and work environments across the Gulf.
Health experts worldwide are united in the belief that sleep deprivation affects both productivity and family life, leading to depression and mental illness.
Around80 per cent of patients in an informal study conducted by Jebel Ali Hospital in Dubai admitted to encountering stress and depression as a result of sleep deprivation. More than60 per cent said they did not get enough sleep due to their lifestyle, which included regular socialising, surfing the Internet, improper diet, and excessive nicotine and caffeine intake.
In the UAE, modern lifestyles have made it difficult for many people to get the recommended eight hours of sleep daily. In another, ongoing Bayt.com poll,80 per cent of2350 respondents say they require between7 and8 hours sleep to be more productive at work. But health experts argue that might not be enough.
Dr. Suresh Menon, General Practitioner at Jebel Ali Hospital, said: “Although the average adult gets about7 hours of sleep every night, they should theoretically be sleeping8 hours or more. Research shows that your biological clock is programmed to sleep twice every24 hours – once between about midnight and7am, and again between1 pm and3 pm.”
Dr Haleh Azarpazhooh, Specialist Psychiatrist at Jebel Ali Hospital, said: “A full night's sleep is still necessary for many vital body functions, even though a short nap may boost learning and memory.”
She said: “Sleep deprivation is bad for your brain when you are trying to do complicated thinking tasks. It may have serious consequences both on performance and on the way your brain functions."
Dr. Menon added: “We have done a great deal of research in India. And results indicate that a quick afternoon nap increases productivity, creativity and problem solving skills of employees at work. More importantly, it is essential for the safety of employees, especially for those doing physical work involving delicate and heavy machinery. Most studies show that giving in to the urge to nap - even for15 or20 minutes¬ - can boost mental and physical perform¬ance as well as mood for the rest of the afternoon”
Rabea Ataya, CEO of Bayt.com, believes that, while desirable, short power naps are likely to remain a dream for many employees in the Gulf’s demanding, fast-paced work environment.
He said: “Unfortunately, many companies don’t realise that lack of sleep in the long run will have detrimental effects on the output of the organisation. But the findings of this research, not to mention the enthusiasm with which people took part in the Bayt.com survey, suggest a change of thinking might be necessary. Companies need to address systems at work, and demonstrate an open mind when looking for ways to get the most out of their employees.”
Ataya said: “It’s likely that many people already take a short rest during their lunch break, but rather than stigmatising dosing at one’s desk, perhaps it’s time to encourage it!”