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At our recently concluded monthly workplace wellbeing series this April, we discussed why rest isn't weakness in the workplace", why prioritising rest at work is important and how to create a work culture that prioritises rest. Here are some key takeaways from the discussion. Understanding the Biology of Rest Did you know that our bodies are biologically wired for rest? Renowned sleep scientist Matthew Walker sheds light on this after studying the brainwave patterns of people during the day. They found that around 3 or 4 PM, our brain waves change similarly to when it's time to sleep, indicating the need for rest. From circadian rhythms to the accumulation of adenosine, our internal timing signals the need for rest, often around mid-afternoon when brain waves shift and our body temperature drops. Naps are part of our biology. Humans and Napping: Historical Perspective Throughout history, humans have embraced napping as a natural part of our working day. Just envision the image of a shepherd or farmer taking a midday nap—these are common occurrences reflecting our historical relationship with rest. The decline of the workday nap can indeed be linked to the rise of industrialization and the shift towards standardised production methods, particularly in factory settings. During the industrial revolution, productivity became synonymous with efficiency in completing repetitive tasks on assembly lines, where workers were expected to maintain a constant pace of work for long hours without breaks. In this context, activities like napping were seen as counterproductive to the goals of mass production. Management prioritised output quantity over factors like employee wellbeing, creativity, or innovation. As a result, breaks, including napping, were often discouraged or even actively penalised. Napping is Sleep Napping constitutes sleep that occurs outside of our nightly rest. Similar to full sleep cycles, naps offer benefits such as physical recovery and growth hormone release, aiding in muscle fatigue recovery, particularly beneficial during illness or periods of intense physical activity. Is Napping Beneficial? The benefits to organisations of encouraging employees to nap are numerous and impactful: Increased Productivity: Napping has been shown to improve alertness, cognitive function, and overall productivity, with NASA research indicating a 34% boost in productivity post-nap. Reduced Errors and Accidents: Fatigue is a significant contributor to workplace errors and accidents. Reduced workplace conflict: Fatigue exacerbates negative emotions such as irritability, frustration, and impatience, as our day progresses tiredness naturally builds. Naps can help regulate emotions by reducing the emotional edge off experiences. Rested employees are better equipped to handle workplace challenges with composure and resilience, leading to smoother interactions and improved relationships with colleagues. Enhanced Creativity and Problem-Solving: Napping has been linked to improved creativity and problem-solving abilities. Naps allow employees to connect concepts in ways the waking mind is unable to, this is the reason attributed to the wealth of amazing innovations that came from a nap such as the periodic table. Healthier Workforce: Chronic sleep deprivation is associated with a range of health problems, including increased risk of heart disease, obesity, and mental health issues. By promoting napping, organisations can help employees maintain better overall health, leading to reduced absenteeism and healthcare costs. Positive Organisational Culture: Napping provides an opportunity for the brain to reset and transition from a state of survival threat detection (often associated with fatigue and stress) to a mode of thriving. By allowing the mind to rest and recharge, naps can help employees approach their work with a more positive and optimistic mindset, ready to engage with tasks and interactions in a constructive manner. Competitive Advantage: Organisations that prioritise employee wellbeing and productivity gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent. Overall, encouraging employees to nap can lead to a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce, ultimately benefiting the organisation's bottom line and long-term success. The Stigma About Napping at Work We interviewed over 200 professional workers in London and found that 80% were napping at work. This is supported by more recent findings from PlushBeds, they found 80% of the 4,000 employees they spoke to in America were napping at work. Employees are napping at work but everyone is hiding it. Employees are taking naps during work hours, yet many feel compelled to conceal this practice. The significance of addressing the associated stigma is underscored by the publication in the prominent Oxford sleep journal by leading performance and sleep scientists by Sara E. Alger, Allison J. Brager, and Vincent F. Capaldi, . "Challenging the stigma of workplace napping," highlighting the impact of societal attitudes on performance and wellbeing. Common Places to Nap due to Stigma Surprisingly, many individuals are napping at work, with the top locations being the toilet, followed by conference rooms, and cars. Naps are personal and privacy needs often drive these choices, highlighting the need for dedicated rest spaces in the workplace. What can Organisations do? Organisations can play a crucial role in promoting the importance of rest and providing resources to support it. Some companies already offer nap spaces, recognising the positive impact on employee wellbeing and productivity. Educate Employees: Provide information and resources on the benefits of napping for productivity, wellbeing, and overall health. Offer workshops, seminars, or informational materials to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions about napping and provide an understanding of what healthy rest looks like. Designate Nap Spaces: Create designated nap areas within the workplace where employees can rest comfortably and privately. Establish Nap Policies: Develop clear policies and guidelines regarding napping in the workplace. Ensure that these policies align with organisational goals and promote a culture of trust and respect for employee well-being. Encourage Nap Breaks: Encourage employees to take regular breaks throughout the day, including short nap breaks if needed. Allowing flexible work arrangements that accommodate individual sleep patterns and preferences. Lead by Example: Demonstrate organisational support for napping by leading by example. Encourage managers and leaders to prioritize their own rest and model healthy work-life balance behaviors. Fostering a culture that values rest and rejuvenation, organisations can create a more positive and productive work environment for all employees. Embracing rest as a vital component of productivity and well-being is not a sign of weakness but rather a strategic investment in personal and organisational success. Let's continue to challenge outdated notions and promote a culture that values rest and rejuvenation. Get in touch if you would like Kate to repeat this session in your organisation or cover a related topic on sleep, rest and work culture. Join us on May 1st as we discuss extensively on Identifying and Managing Burnout, offering support strategies and actionable tips for organisations to prevent burnout. Reserve your space here. We look forward to seeing you!

The World Happiness Report 2024 has Finland reigning supreme as the happiest country in the world, with Sweden following closely at number four. What's their secret? It seems embracing rest and prioritising sleep might be a big part of the equation. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to overlook the importance of rest and quality sleep. Yet, these two Nordic countries stand out as shining examples of how prioritising rest can lead to happier, healthier lives. The Finnish Connection with Nature and Sleep In Finland, there's a profound appreciation for the power of nature and its impact on wellbeing. They foster a deep love for the outdoors. People make a point of spending time in nature every day, even in the winter. This exposure to sunlight and fresh air is believed to contribute to better sleep quality and overall health. Additionally, the Finnish lifestyle is known for its relaxed pace, further contributing to better sleep. It's no surprise then that according to the World Sleep Survey, Finland ranks among the top countries for sleep quality, with a whopping 84% reporting good sleep! Moreover, the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare found that Finns sleep an average of 7 hours per night, which is higher than the global average. Sweden: Work-Life Balance for Optimal Recharge Meanwhile, in Sweden, there's a strong emphasis on work-life balance. Swedes recognise the importance of unwinding and recharging, prioritising both physical and mental health. This is reflected in the high quality of sleep enjoyed by the majority of the population. With generous amounts of paid time off, Swedes have the opportunity to rejuvenate and avoid burnout. By prioritising rest and relaxation, both Finland and Sweden demonstrate that a well-rested population is a happier one. Their examples underscore the importance of incorporating rest into our daily lives, not as an afterthought but as a fundamental aspect of overall wellbeing. The Rest Space Connection At Rest Space, we believe in the transformative power of rest. Our mission is to inspire individuals and organisations to prioritise rest, fostering happier, healthier communities. By following the lead of countries like Finland and Sweden, we can create a world where rest is valued as essential for success and happiness. The message is clear: rest isn't a luxury, it's a necessity for happiness and success. Let's embrace the lessons from these Nordic nations and make rest a priority in our lives. Together, we can cultivate a culture that celebrates the rejuvenating effects of downtime and ensures a brighter, more fulfilling future for all. Visit our website to explore our resources on creating a building a rest culture for your workplace and prioritising sleep for a happier, healthier you!

In our recently concluded virtual workplace wellbeing session this March, on "Improving Wellbeing Uptakes Through Communication" we shared some valuable insights on how to effectively communicate your workplace wellbeing messages, and achieve engagement which we have put down here. Our speaker, Shala is a communications expert and forward-thinking storyteller with over 20 years' experience developing international communications and content strategies for well-known multinationals across various industries including Publishing, Media, Banking, and Energy. If you missed it, no worries. We've put together some key takeaways that we'll be sharing with you. How can you effectively communicate your workplace wellbeing messages, and how do you achieve engagement? First, understand your audience. Identifying who you want to engage and segmenting your audience are crucial steps in tailoring wellbeing messages effectively. Remember, every individual's journey towards wellbeing is unique. A message you're all used to hearing and it's worth reinforcing, maintain consistency. Consistency is important to sustaining engagement and increasing your chances of your messages reaching people when they need it. It is important to note that authenticity in communication is key. When sharing messages and stories, do it in a style that suits the storyteller best. For example, if a leader is sharing their story use channels and communication methods that play to their strengths. We often don't have the capacity or are not reaching a large enough audience, so collaborate with other departments on contents to amplify your message. For example, as a wellbeing lead, you might collaborate with a diversity and inclusion network. To avoid common pitfalls like making assumptions about how people want to be reached, asking them first is important. Some say emails are the best way of reaching out, but are they opening the emails? Are they engaging? One way is to set up a chat and connect network to be based with the department or teams you are working with and have them give feedback to you. Continuously measure and evaluate your channels of communication. Additionally, if you lead a team in a distributed network, you must tailor communication to accommodate language and cultural differences. By being mindful of these nuances, we can better connect with our geographically diverse teams. Like Shala said, "Wellbeing is a fun space to be in, you can be creative, have fun, and still make an impact and be a huge influence in people’s lives." Remember, effective communication is the cornerstone of a thriving workplace culture. This was just a small snippet of the topics we covered. It was such a valuable topic which we might rerun in future. Visit our wellbeing community here and sign up for more updates.

Pre-Seed Round An extraordinary transformation requires an extraordinary solution. ​ We are the 1% that dares to build a physical product while everyone else builds in the cloud. Rest Space is building a future that empowers people to be more productive, focused, and creative, especially in the moments that matter most. ​ We are doing this because rest is the cornerstone of a healthy society. Download Rest Space Deck Call Kate: +44 748235261 Calendly: Schedule a call Email Kate@restspaceldn.com Supa@restspaceldnc.om Get in touch

Unlock a world of untapped potential Shop Rest Space Designed to make rest accessible to everyone Rest Space is building a future that empowers people to be more productive, focused and creative, especially in the moments that matter the most. The Everest [Rest Space] Stacked Price £21,875.00 The Everest [Rest Space] Price £10,937.50 Shop Rest Space Our Rest Spaces are for forward looking companies for their employees to rest, whether it’s a short post-lunch nap or just for a moment to collect themselves during a stressful day. Find Out More Performance With just a 20-minutes rest, you can enhance memory retention and sharpen your focus, propelling you to new heights of performance, and success, giving you an edge at work. Cognition People who get an optimal amount of rest experience better cognitive thinking than those who try to push through the fatigue. Health Insufficient rest is one of today's most pressing health issues and can have an impact in the workplace. We are empowering people to be more productive, focused and happier, especially in the moments that matter most. Wellbeing at the forefront A company that is passionate about wellbeing knows this is a long term commitment. It can be the difference between navigating the complexity of employee satisfaction and overall organisational success. Here at Rest Space we know to put our people first and we are doing this because rest is the cornerstone of a healthy society. Build based on the latest sleep science Rest Space is dedicated to enhancing your rest by conducting in-depth research into the latest sleep science to replicate optimal sleeping conditions for users, promoting a restful and rejuvenating experience. Building with sustainability in mind Rest Space sleeping pods prioritise sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly and locally sourced materials where possible into our design, construction, and delivery processes, reducing environmental impact. Get a 60 day free trial for your workplace Order Now Find Out More

Rest in the workplace Stay in the loop with all things workplace rest and well-being! Dive into topics like building inclusive spaces, boosting employee happiness, and nurturing healthier work cultures. Find handy tips to create revitalizing workspace that puts your team's well-being first! Beatrice Chidinma Egwu 3 days ago 1 min Best Wellbeing Service Provider Awards 2024 Beatrice Chidinma Egwu 6 days ago 2 min Seasonal Approach to Workplace Well-being Beatrice Chidinma Egwu Feb 12 2 min Breaking the Stigma: Normalising Naps in The Workplace Beatrice Chidinma Egwu Nov 16, 2023 2 min Celebrating World Wellbeing at Work Week 2023 Beatrice Chidinma Egwu Nov 7, 2023 2 min Celebrating Purple Tuesday - Creating more inclusive work environments Beatrice Chidinma Egwu Aug 22, 2023 3 min How did we screw up sleep? Beatrice Chidinma Egwu Jun 27, 2023 2 min Nap for success this World Wellbeing Week! Beatrice Chidinma Egwu Jun 16, 2023 4 min The Well-being Chronicles: Integrating Well-being into the Way We Work Kate Mulligan May 17, 2023 5 min How to Measure Workplace Wellbeing and Use Data for Positive Change Esha Gandhi May 10, 2023 2 min Thankful and Thriving: The Health Benefits of Practicing Gratitude Ana Muchacho Apr 26, 2023 2 min CAN YOU EAT YOUR WAY TO A BETTER MOOD? Esha Gandhi Mar 24, 2023 3 min Quality Sleep is Important: Building a Perfect Sleep Environment for you Ana Muchacho Mar 15, 2023 3 min Late to your New Year's resolutions? There's still time to make the best out of 2023! Beatrice Chidinma Egwu Feb 22, 2023 3 min Well-being at Work: Strategies to Boost Your Organization's Performance Kate Mulligan Jan 11, 2023 3 min Creating a Workplace that Works for Women: Tips for Leaders Supa Chantschool Dec 20, 2022 2 min 2022: That's a Wrap! Isabella Venziale Dec 15, 2022 3 min How to Shift Your Company’s Culture Towards Employee Well-being patrick14373 Nov 23, 2022 4 min Napping in the office: How companies are changing corporate sleep culture Isabella Venziale Nov 10, 2022 4 min It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Here Are Some Ways to Keep it That Way tanner43362 Nov 2, 2022 3 min Why it's important for companies to have a sustainability strategy Kate Mulligan Oct 19, 2022 5 min Sustainable wellbeing: We need to shift guilt to pride Michael Paine Oct 12, 2022 3 min The History of Nap Pods Tanner Gold Oct 5, 2022 4 min Losing Sleep, Where are the Sheep? How Sleep Deprivation Screws up Sleep Michael Wu Sep 29, 2022 3 min How to Best Promote Napping in the Workplace Elias Benchekroun Sep 14, 2022 4 min Naps and Laps: How Rest Can Optimise Your Workout & Workday Andrew Quinton Sep 7, 2022 5 min Your body has come to collect its debt! - Aug 31, 2022 2 min How can a sleeping pod help you return to the office? Elizabeth Cutler Aug 24, 2022 2 min How to take the perfect power nap: The secrets to sleep Hala Saeed Aug 10, 2022 3 min How to use your hormonal cycle to optimise your work schedule? Hala Saeed Aug 2, 2022 2 min Why students need Rest Spaces Christopher Longobardi Jul 27, 2022 3 min Workplace Stress and the Internalized Effects on Our Body John Arvantides Jul 20, 2022 3 min Hiring and retaining a quality workforce during record UK labour shortage Afrin Ahmed Jul 18, 2022 4 min Announcing a Rest Space, Metroline and TFL collaboration - Jul 6, 2022 2 min Economic cost of absenteeism and presenteeism: Why employers should invest in sleep pods! Jack Friedman Jun 29, 2022 2 min Mitigating the effects of migraines through Rest Spaces - Jun 21, 2022 3 min Why Sleep Pods belong on NHS Budgets - Jun 15, 2022 2 min Napping Isn't Just for Children Priyanka Agarwal Jun 8, 2022 2 min Why Sleep Makes You Stronger Kate Mulligan Jun 1, 2022 2 min 5 tips to improve your nap environment when working from home Kate Mulligan May 19, 2022 3 min When rest isn't best - long COVID, insomnia and MSK Abbie Hennessy May 4, 2022 3 min Understanding your chronotype and how it affects your productivity Andrew Quinton Apr 19, 2022 5 min Your breath is the key to a good night’s sleep! - Apr 4, 2022 2 min Is your job the cause of your Insomnia? Andrew Quinton Apr 1, 2022 2 min We were wrong! Oh so desperately wrong Afrin Ahmed Mar 18, 2022 3 min Happy World Sleep Day 2022! Here Are Some Tips To Improve Your Sleep Quality… Ola Kurczewska Mar 2, 2022 4 min How do I Attract and Retain Talent in the Workplace? Afrin Ahmed Feb 17, 2022 5 min Tired All The Time? Here Are The 7 Types of Rest You Actually Need Daniel McIntosh Feb 1, 2022 4 min Genius: A few Power Naps Away? - Jan 31, 2022 2 min A New Version: The Stackable Rest Space Ola Kurczewska Jan 21, 2022 3 min One way to take care of yourself this 2022 1 2