Napping at Work: How Different Cultures View Sleep Breaks During the Workday 

Explore how different cultures view napping at work, from Japan's Inemuri to Spain's siesta and beyond.

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How often do you nap during the workday? In today’s world, napping at work is seen differently by various cultures around the world. You may have heard of Spain’s regular siestas in the afternoon, or you may not even realize workplace naps take place around the world if you work in the United States! If you’re eager to learn more about napping at work and how people around the world view this practice, then you’ve come to the right place.  
 
This article will explore the historical context behind napping at work and the perspectives on this practice from around the world. We’ll look at how Japan, China, Spain, and several other nations view napping, whether it’s beneficial, and how it helps. Let’s start by exploring why napping at work became a practice and how it is tied to ancient Greece. 

Napping at Work Began All the Way Back in Ancient Greece 

Napping at work is not a new concept, but something ingrained in our civilizations' very fabric. Ancient Greeks saw the benefit of napping at work because they believed that the psyche was revealed in sleep, so they could spend time accessing a “borderland between living and not living,” according to Aristotle. So, napping at work was accepted—and it was even practiced by the world’s most famous philosophers from the ancient world! 
 
However, by the time the Industrial Revolution arrived, napping at work took on a different role. In the United States, industrialization meant long hours at work, which meant that naps soon became a thing of the past throughout the workday. People would work 10-12 hours, go home, sleep, and do it all over again. Unfortunately, as you’ll come to find out, the United States views naps differently from most other societies, even today.  
 
Once industrialization gave way to office jobs and cozy offices for many, naps at work were seen as a sign of weakness in some cultures like the United States. But what about the rest of the world? In Japan, China, and other Asian nations, naps at work are a sign of your hard work rather than your laziness and an expected norm.  

Napping in Eastern Cultures: How Japan and China See Naps at Work 

In Japan and China, these nations view napping at work as an expected norm and something that is beneficial. Japanese culture has a term for naps at work called Inemuri. It means that someone is sleeping on the job without leaving, and while this might sound bad, it is actually good. It is a sign of your dedication to the job and how exhausted you have become due to your commitment.  
 
On the other hand, in China, the focus on modernization once drove away the practice of napping at work, but in the 21st century, napping became an individual choice. To many Chinese citizens, an afternoon nap or Xiuxi is a regular part of their day as an afternoon rest period. This is when they take a break, rest, and often take naps. Businesses still do this today, so you may encounter some Chinese companies that are conveniently closed after lunch so they can rest up and prepare for the end of the business day.   

Napping at Work in the West: An Unexpected Amenity 

As we discussed, many Western nations—including the United States—believe that naps are not an expected practice. In fact, several Western citizens see naps as a small act of resistance when they are at work (Source: International Sociological Association). Some companies, like Google and NASA, have seen the research on how naps can benefit people. They have prioritized this as part of their workday, implementing regular naps to boost employee creativity and productivity.  
 
If we turn to Europe, the perspective on napping at work here differs from that of other nations! Spain, for instance, utilizes a siesta, which is a midday nap that can help them recover from lost sleep. Napping on the job is not recommended, but since virtually everyone in Spain naps in the afternoon, the Spanish do see the power of taking midday naps. However, studies have shown that longer siestas lead to higher BMI rates and metabolic syndromes for some.  
 
Other European countries also practice flexible work-life balance approaches that prioritize health, including napping at work when needed. In the Middle East and Latin America, the view on napping during the workday has shifted to becoming more accepting of regular afternoon naps.  

How the Middle East and Latin American View Naps at Work 

You might be surprised, but the Middle East is becoming more accepting of napping at work. Recent articles have shown that companies are opening up wellness rooms and supporting employees' need to take a break from their desks, even if it means stepping away for a nap. It’s still a relatively new development, but one that shows how Middle Eastern cultures see the value of these afternoon naps to our health. 
 
On the other hand, because of the shared Spanish ancestry of many Latin American nations, the practice of the siesta is a part of their daily routine. A portion of each employee’s workday is actually dedicated to their afternoon siesta! If you worked here, you could enjoy a nice nap during the day and then get right back to work to finish your projects before the day is over. So, as you can see, these two regions of the world have become even more accepting of siestas, unlike that of the United States.  

Do You Take Naps at Work? 

It’s fascinating to see just how many nations have accepted napping at work as an expected, beneficial part of the workday. Even though the United States has yet to jump on the same train, it may only be a matter of time before they realize the importance of taking time for one’s rest. If you work a regular nine-to-five job, do you take naps throughout the workday?  

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Written by

Marie Soukup

Marie Soukup is a seasoned copywriter, editor, and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with a certificate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). With years of experience working with brands across diverse industries, Marie is passionate about holistic health and crafting compelling content.

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