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Do you ever find yourself in need of a quick nap but can't seem to actually relax and fall asleep? Here, the secrets will be revealed on how to take the perfect power nap and find the energy you have been lacking. Many people hope that they can just settle down in any area and take a successful nap; however, there are some key tips to follow in order to get the most out of your power nap. Approximately 36% of UK adults find themselves struggling to sleep on a weekly basis. In order to fix this issue, an effective nap might just be the key to restoring your energy. Find a cool, comfortable and safe rest space to lay down. You will want this to be a place with little distractions (put your smartphone away!). Finding a place with blackout curtains is also a great idea as it will blockout any light from reaching your eyes. Your internal body clock that controls your sleep pattern is called the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is controlled by the circadian pacemaker which is highly influenced by light exposure. Light exposure far from your usual sleep time influences your internal body clock to get tired earlier. Light exposure closer to your usual sleep time influences your internal body clock to push sleep later, believing that it is still daytime. Using headphones to block out any sound or a bluetooth speaker to play comforting sounds and music as you nap will allow for you to fall asleep faster as well. Set an alarm! Based on studies performed by The Mayo Clinic and the Sleep Foundation, the ideal nap time is between 10-30 minutes. It is ideal to keep nap time short in order to get the most energy out of it without waking up groggy. Remember to give yourself a few minutes before returning to your day after your nap to allow your mind to completely adjust. Here’s more on different nap times… Take a late morning to early afternoon nap. The time that you nap matters. The Mayo Clinic’s studies show that napping in the late afternoon can interfere with your sleep at night. Napping too close to the time of your sleep can make it harder to fall asleep at night, impeding on your sleep pattern. Find a short time between the late morning and early afternoon to plan your nap. If you know ahead of time that you won't be getting enough sleep at night, plan ahead! Schedule a time the morning or afternoon before to take a short nap, this will help you later. Our RestSpace nap pods have the keys to a successful nap integrated within each pod. Sound absorbing and blocking layers reduce sound from entering the pod. The privacy lock ensures an uninterrupted safe sleep. If winding down for you includes calm music or sounds, the bluetooth speaker within the pod will help relax you. Implementing these nap pods into your workplace can allow for a simpler and more energized nap for your employees, rejuvenating and refreshing workers to be more productive. Get in touch here if you have any questions about our company or would like to add a rest space to your workplace.

We all know that women’s hormonal cycle is very different to men’s, but women have had to graciously adjust to work schedules and productivity approaches designed for men. As a result, many women are not well informed on what their hormones are doing at different times of the month. They believe that their cycle is something that puts them out of energy for the week, when it should be seen as a tool used to optimize a work schedule for the month. As Alisa Vitti, a women’s menstrual health expert, said during a Forbes interview: “Women are seeking to shift the imbalances created by the patriarchy, we must stop modeling our lives on a masculine biochemical 24-hour schedule. It’s time to work based on a female paradigm of productivity, success and fulfillment.” Here’s a break up of the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle and how you can use it to your advantage: Phase 1: Menstruation (1-7 days) No matter what the calendar says, this is when your month starts. You get your period; estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels, causing you to feel less energized and reduced mental speed. During this phase you should be creating your to-do list for the month, and learning from last month's highs and lows. You should also hold off on any big meetings, social outings and complicated tasks, until next week. Phase 2: Follicular (8–14 days) Estrogen is rising all throughout this phase, and so is your energy. High estrogen levels make you braver, more confident, and more productive. This is the time to bring out your inner superstar. This phase is great for client dinners, networking and big events, as you will be your best self. If you want to ask for a raise this is the best time to do it! Phase 3: Ovulation (15-22 days) Your third week is split into 2 parts. In the first half, estrogen and testosterone drop, and you may feel fatigue and irritability. In the second half, estrogen rises again, decreasing the symptoms of the previous drop. While all of that is happening, progesterone is rising throughout the week. As it does, it makes you more physically fatigued, more cautious and slows you down overall. This is the week where you might experience a burst of sadness or crying. During this week you should accomplish the more complex tasks at the beginning of the week, as you will be more focused, since progesterone levels are not at its peak yet. You should also make sure you are eating regularly because you are more sensitive to a drop in blood sugar this week because of progesterone. **on the upside you burn 30% more fat if you exercise during this week** Phase 4: Luteal Phase (23-28 days) The last week of your cycle. The week before your period. This is when both estrogen and progesterone are dropping, potentially dragging your mood down with them. Generally, decreasing estrogen will make you more critical, pessimistic and weary. You will prefer the safer option, and be less courageous. In this phase you should focus on completing tasks and finishing up details of execution. Things like administrative tasks and all the essential (and boring) things adults have to do anyway. How does sleep factor in? To be able to use your hormonal cycle as an optimisation tool, you first have to ensure they are balanced, and this is where sleep comes in. Sleep affects hormone levels, and hormone levels affect sleep. During different phases of the menstruation cycle sleep can be disrupted for different reasons. Some women may lose sleep during phase 2 due to all the extra energy, and high levels of fatigue during phase 3 and 4 because of low estrogen and high progesterone levels, which may result in needing more sleep. A study evaluating the changes in sleep patterns across the phases of the menstruation cycle has shown that there was a significant decrease in sleep efficiency and quality during the late luteal phase. Menstruation cycles are not the only hormonal changes that women have to go through in their lifetime. There are other important factors which cause hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy, postpartum and menopause. This is where workplaces can support women. A great way for companies to show their support and encourage women in the workplace is to understand their hormone cycle and provide them with tools to help them during different phases. A sleeping pod can be very handy here! If you are interested in a sleeping pod, find out more about Rest Space here. Get in touch if you want to improve your working environment for women through a sleeping pod.

The problem: Students are undoubtedly sleeping a lot less than they should. With 68% of university students staying awake at night due to academic stress and 20% of students pulling all-nighters at least once a month, sleep deprivation is quickly becoming an epidemic. University students being sleep deprived is often no surprise, but when 71% of university students are getting less than the recommended 8-hour sleep, we have to do something about it. Allowing sleep deprivation to become the norm and not addressing it as the important issue that it is, is extremely detrimental. Why is this important? Getting enough sleep and academic performance are intertwined. During sleep, our short-term memories are turned into long-term ones. So, everything you learned that day is stored as a short-term memory until you sleep and allow it to be turned into long-term memory, improving your memory retention. Sleep deprivation does not only affect academic performance, it has detrimental effects on your physical health and mental health too. Scientific research shows that sleep deprivation has adverse effects on your neuroendocrine and immune systems by increasing inflammatory molecules known as cytokines, as well as stress hormones like cortisol. Napping can highly reduce these effects, as shown by a 2015 study. A study shows that drivers who get only 6 hours of sleep are more likely to cause an accident than those who had blood alcohol levels of 0.05%. With 0.05% being the legal drink driving limit in Scotland and 0.08% in England. The solution: A simple solution is naps. Taking naps has been the consistently recommended solution to sleep deprivation. Both short (15-30 mins) and long (1-1.5 hours) are scientifically proven to help our brains recover from fatigue. Some of the benefits of napping include: They have a very positive effect on performance and reaction times. A NASA study shows that a 40-minute nap can improve performance by 34% and alertness by 100%. Napping can boost the immune system, by reducing stress hormones like cortisol, and inflammatory molecules such as cytokines. Naps improve memory retention Napping improves physical stamina and performance Looking at all of the benefits of napping on the body and mind, napping should be routine for all university students. Especially with its positive effects on the immune system, students would notice a massive decrease in sickness. What can universities do to support students and solve their sleep deprivation issue? Invest in rest spaces. In trying to improve their student wellbeing, the University of Edinburgh installed 2 nap pods in their library. 83% of students voted for this installation, and they quickly became the envy of workers and students everywhere else. [Rest Space] created the best place to rest for students. Our innovative, smart and sustainable rest spaces are a great investment in the health and wellbeing of students. If you would like to learn more about our product, please do get in touch with us to find out more about Rest Space.

Stress and the Body Your body is a very carefully regulated ecosystem, with numerous checks and balances of chemicals that affect everything from bodily temperature and temperament, to cognitive thinking - all in pursuit of maintaining homeostasis. A particular disruptor of the body’s homeostasis is stress. The National Cancer Institute defines stress as the body’s response to physical, mental, or emotional pressure. Stress causes chemical changes in the body that can raise blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels, which can also lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, anger, or depression. The UK's Stress Problem Stress is a major issue in the UK, across all age groups, from 18 years of age onward over 50% of young adults, adults, and senior citizens all admit to feeling so stressed at some point over the last year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope according to the Mental Health Foundation. A major contributor to the UK’s stressed population is workplace pressure. People rely on their jobs to help pay for their living expenses, as such, naturally there is substantial pressure to do well at work and even get promoted . This “pressure” is felt when the workload is overwhelming, a person's job is in jeopardy, or there are conflicts with co-workers or bosses, and is referred to as work-related stress. In 2021 alone, The Labor Force Survey found that in the UK, over 800,000 people reported to be suffering from work-related-stress, depression and anxiety. This estimate is likely much higher when taking those that haven’t reported into account. This issue continues to worsen as according to the Health and Safety executive, “In the recent years prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety had shown signs of increasing. In 2020/21 the rate was higher than the 2018/19 pre-coronavirus levels.(HSE, 2021)” Managers and HR must survey their workforce and allocate resources to help employees that suffer from excessive workplace stress. Negative Feedback Loops If left unaddressed the body will generate unhealthy internal habits. For instance, working long hours and not getting great sleep signals to receptors that the body is still not fully “recharged,” and that more sleep is needed. Now imagine you have work the next morning and cannot afford to sleep in longer. Your body will then utilize its survival adaptations and send signals to ignore your brain's receptors from telling you that you're tired in order for you to push through the tough next morning at work. This bodily process is a negative feedback loop, essentially your body's reactions to something disturbing the homeostasis or ideal conditions inside your body. In response to the change, your body represses or tries to negate the reaction to the change and does so continuously in a loop of reactions. This is not unhealthy in the short term, but with the constant work overload and pressure over time, the repressed enzymes and proteins that would be considered normal reactions increasingly perpetuate the cycle at the expense of the body and mind (Goldstein, 2008). Chronic stress in these cyclic patterns has been known to negatively affect mood, decision making, and communication/sociability. The Future of Wellness in the Workplace Prior to Covid-19 Office managers and HR may not have considered it a priority to allocate money out of their budget to help support their employees’ mental health. Common solutions companies have been using include: more welcoming and open offices along with other progressive ideas like rest areas that help make the workplace smarter and more engaging. With more people working from home and less people coming into the office, comes a predicament of wasted plant assets and unused office space. At the same time it offers an opportunity to repurpose office space to be more progressive and employee friendly. More and more offices are moving towards rest areas, particularly nap pods as a way to support employees through long hours. This recent change in the modern workplace is spurred by the acknowledgement of companies that their most important asset is their own employees and no cost is too much to budget for the protection of their health and productivity. For even more information on why employers should invest in employee wellness refer to this blog. If you are interested or would like to know more about sleep, nap pods, and overall health and benefits please subscribe to keep updated on this blog and check out https://www.restspaceldn.com/

As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic era, employers in the UK are facing an unprecedented economy, with increasingly difficult hiring conditions. According to the UK Office for National Statistics, job vacancies in the country rose to a record 1.3 million in March to May 2022. The labour shortage has made it quite difficult for companies to attract, hire, and retain high quality workers post-Covid. This begs the question of what strategies employers can utilise to combat this issue and bring in the best talent to help their company thrive. Could some out-of-the-box thinking be the solution to this pressing issue? Despite the record labour shortage, the UK economy is still experiencing strong growth as we emerge from Covid. The total number of workforce jobs in the UK in March 2022 rose to an estimated 35.6 million, which, despite being below pre-coronavirus December 2019 levels, displayed a record quarterly increase of nearly 412,000. Employers need to have the right workforce if they want to take advantage of this strong economy. Obviously, one of the simplest ways a company can better attract and retain quality workers is with better pay and financial benefits. There’s no doubt that the UK employee currently holds unprecedented power in the labour market, and they rightfully desire better. Just think about the recent London train and tube strikes that have halted city transportation. Other than the obvious financial side, how else can businesses differentiate themselves from their competitors as the best place for employees to come work? Perhaps one unique and effective solution could be in the implementation of sleep pods and rest spaces in the workplace. Employees are always looking for jobs with workplaces that are more comfortable and conducive to a productive and healthy environment. Not only can allowing employees the ability to nap during the work day attract and retain stronger employees, but can also empower said workers to be more productive and competitive for the company itself, resulting in stronger long-term company financial success. Unsurprisingly, sleep deprivation among workers costs UK companies significant financial losses over time. It is estimated that it costs the UK economy £40 billion per year, which equates to 1.86% of overall annual economic growth. Napping at work has many documented and researched benefits such as increased alertness, which is often extended longer throughout the day, increased speed and accuracy in cognitive tests, and improved short-term memory. Sleep researchers at Harvard have found that napping makes people more effective problem solvers and that it can help people separate important information from extraneous details. Researchers say these findings support the idea that employer policies should actively encourage napping, especially in today’s economy. Employees want a rest space in their office Recent research from Kitt an office platform highlights nearly half (49%) of millennials want regular naps during their office day. With research from Plushbeds finding 80%of Gen Z and 70% of millennials admit to napping at work. “the pandemic has completely transformed what we expect from work, particularly for millennials, and those on the entry end of the job market.” - Lucy Minton, co-founder and COO of Kitt, Rest Spaces aren't just a novelty they are a necessity, we have found that employees need it the most during challenging times. This may be life stage changes such as becoming a new parent or menopause. It can help employees manage the impact of a long term hidden illness or get through the sleep disturbance from a stressful period they are going through. The impact of a rest during these times can totally transform how they perform and engage at work. Turning it from a negative experience to one that it more positive. It also gives them a natural solution to improve their wellbeing during these times. In a time of record labour shortages, rest space sleep pods can be one highly effective way in which employers can better attract and retain a quality workforce. Not only do they demonstrate a commitment of a supportive workplace to their employees, but they also make their employees more productive, which in turn will lead to their business being more successful. One company providing quality sleep pod solutions is Rest Space, along with the physical sleeping pod, we provide actionable insight on how a company can adopt a healthy and effective resting culture. For more information click here.

"We recognise drivers can be susceptible to fatigue due to various lifestyle factors, which is why proactively helping our drivers tackle the issue is a priority for us. The Rest Space sleep pods that have been on trial at our garages are one initiative that we have looked at that has been a big talking point amongst the drivers. We continue to look at new safety initiatives with the objective of achieving Vision Zero.” - Sinead Maguire, Head of Transport Safety, Metroline We're happy to share what we have been working on the last couple of months! We have teamed up with Metroline, one of London’s bigger transportation companies, to provide drivers with rest with our Rest Space Everest pods in their bus depots in Uxbridge and Willesden. This collaboration is part of TfL’s Health & Wellbeing Innovation Challenge, which aims to minimise driver fatigue and improve the health and wellbeing of our bus drivers. Napping is recommended as one of the most effective ways to improve fatigue management. We are very excited to be able to make a difference in the lives of London’s key workers as they begin to use our product in their workplace. Our main objective at Rest Space is to provide a practical solution for workplace safety, fatigue management and wellbeing. One might wonder why we need Rest Spaces in the workplace in the first place. We took the time to speak to bus drivers and other shift workers to gain a better understanding of the challenges they encountered. We find that adequate rest facilities and adjusting to a dynamic work schedule are the most prevalent issues. Research has shown that those working jobs that require high attention at work have a tendency for their performance to deteriorate over the day gradually. A nap is one of the best ways to restore performance and attention. Despite coffee being one of the main alternatives to dealing with tiredness, 70% of people we have spoken to and surveyed told us that it isn’t effective. There is a lot to be done to help shift the culture in the UK to one that values rest and allows for people to make the most of the rest they have. A number of factors can contribute to daytime fatigue, such as an individual's schedule, diet or other circumstances which are out of the employers' control. What is in the control of employers is providing the best facilities to help counteract fatigue. We wish to bring value to companies by providing a suitable resting space to promote their employees' health and wellness. What we hope to achieve “[Being tired] makes me less efficient, more liable to make mistakes, take longer to make decisions” - London Bus Driver We hope to accomplish a number of goals, the first of which is to provide an innovative and effective solution for our bus drivers to regain the energy and focus needed for their shifts. We also hope to be able to drive a cultural change in the workplace where napping is no longer frowned upon. As a result, we provide all our customers with science-backed educational content on rest and sleep, to support the culture change and empower employees to make the most of their resting time. Our solution seeks to reap the following benefits: Reduced incidents through improved fatigue management and increased alertness. Provide a safe and private area for drivers to rest. Reduced absence levels through improved wellbeing. Encourage a cultural shift in the workplace of attitudes in relation to fatigue and the importance of rest. A 30-minute nap can help regulate hormones associated with stress and the immune system. Research has also shown that napping 3 times a week can decrease the risk of heart disease by 37%. This is no surprise given that sleep deprivation is strongly linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Napping is also known to improve cognitive functioning, decision making and overall mood. As a result, the overall impact we hope will be to offer a measurable reduction in reported fatigue occurrences and accidents like collisions, ensuring that our bus drivers are healthier, resulting in fewer days off due to stress, mental illness, and heart disease. Our Product: The Rest Space We understand the complexities of managing fatigue at work, which is why we have created Rest Space as the best place to rest. Our product is a unique resting pod that will provide privacy and a comfortable environment, both of which are essential for a restful nap. Despite keeping the latest sleep science in mind when designing the rest space, we also avoid futuristic designs and cold materials like plastic, since unfamiliarity makes it difficult for our minds to switch off. Have you ever tried to have a nap but due to noise, lack of privacy and body position you woke up feeling as exhausted as you were before? The Rest Space tackles these challenges and provides a clean, optimal space for you to rest with soundproofing, an easy-to-clean antimicrobial mattress and a highly efficient ventilation system. We create a tranquil environment with smart lighting and speakers allowing you to meditate and make the most of the time you have to rest. Check out our product page for more information about our Rest Space. Our services include helping employees and management understand the barriers to rest in the workplace, providing customised training for fatigue management and sleep, and tracking the effectiveness of the Rest Space sleep pods. Expected Benefits The RestSpace can provide a number of benefits, including reduced incidents of fatigue and increased alertness. It will encourage a cultural change in attitude amongst bus drivers in relation to the importance of resting, as well as providing a safe and private area for drivers to rest. We hope our overall impact will be to deliver a measurable reduction in reported fatigue events which will benefit our drivers’ health and wellbeing. According to a study by Loughborough University in 2019, 36% of the drivers interviewed had a close call collusion due to fatigue, and 21% of them indicated they had to fight sleepiness at least 2-3 times a week in the past 12 months. We anticipate that using the Rest Space will lead to drivers feeling less sleepy on the road, resulting in a safer journey for all Londoners. If you're interested in our product find out more here. Read more about workplace wellbeing, employee fatigue, the benefits of napping and more on our blog. Any other questions or enquiries get in touch.

Presenteeism can cost employers money without them even realising. But what is Absenteeism and Presenteeism? And how does it cost employers money? Glad you asked. Presenteeism is lost productivity that happens when an employee is present at work but not fully able to function due to fatigue, illness, injury, poor mental health, or lack of sleep. Absenteeism is when employees are absent due to illness. This lost productivity is harder to quantify which leads it to be under the radar when making future business decisions. Recent studies have shown that the UK economy loses up to £92 billion due to ill-health related absenteeism and presenteeism. The same study also found that British businesses lose an average of 38 working days per employee to physical and mental health related absence and presenteeism in 2019. However it was only 23 working days per employee 7 years ago, showing that productivity is on the decline. In one US study, presenteeism and absenteeism cost US employers up to $2,280 per employee annually. So what can we do to resolve this issue? Invest in employee wellbeing! A 2016 study has shown that 1 in 3 adults don't get enough sleep. Lack of quality sleep can cause many issues such as fatigue, less productivity, decreased mood, lack of awareness, more prone to make mistakes, the list goes on. Simply investing in employee wellbeing such as sleep pods for employees to nap during work has proven to work wonders. A NASA study showed that napping can increase work memory. Napping during work can increase productivity, lessen work fatigue, increase creativity, alertness, happiness, and reduce the likelihood of making mistakes due to lack of sleep. In another study, investing £1 in employee mental health can save employers £5 due to reduction in absenteeism and presenteeism and staff turnover. Many big companies such as Google, Facebook, and Uber invest in nap pods or nap rooms because they understand the importance of happy, healthy, and productive employees are crucial parts of any business. RestSpace is here to help! At Restspace we believe that employees are the backbone of any business and we offer products that allow them to be the best version of themselves. We provide private, smart, and comfortable sleep pods. We are here to provide you with the product that can help your business become more productive, save cost due to lack of sleep and increase employee wellbeing one nap at a time. Contact us to get more information about RestSpace and our product. We are more than happy to help with any questions you may have!

Introduction A fast-paced work environment is a perfect catalyst for stress, anxiety and depression for employees. For many people, these factors can lead to migraines. A 30 minute nap can be beneficial in reducing the likelihood and the severity of migraines for individuals who experience them. Addressing the Problem Migraines are more than a headache; anybody who has experienced one can testify. In terms of uncomfort, migraines may entail nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness and in some cases fevers. They affect 12% of the population and occur on average four times per month. In relation to the workspace, migraines have been shown to reduce productivity and inhibit concentration for workers. All About Migraines Migraines can be caused by a wide range of triggers. Many include loud noises, bright lights, and flickering screens. It is important to recognize triggers for individuals who endure migraines in order to best avoid them, although sometimes things are out of their control. When this does happen, it is recommended for people to lay down in dark and quiet areas. In addition, people can take painkillers and anti-sickness medications. Where We Tie In Theoretically, a midday nap to mitigate migraines in their entirety is difficult. Many people need to leave their workspace and go home to a quiet, dark rest space which takes time and often cuts the workday short. Rest Space LDN has nap pods available for employees struggling with migraines to nap in an optimal environment. Our quiet, dark, readily available nap space offers a space for people in the workspace to combat previous migraine struggles and improve employee wellbeing. Mission and Next Steps Here at Rest Space, we are on a mission to create a place for workers to recharge in the workspace throughout the day. People are what grow and operate many businesses today, and it is important to provide them with resources to operate as effectively as possible. If you have any questions about Rest Space and our company, feel free to contact us here.

So we have established how essential rest is to help revitalise and re-energise us during long working hours. Just a 20 minute nap has been proven to improve productivity, enhance brain performance and reduce levels of stress. The annual NHS Wellbeing survey in 2020-21 revealed over 44% of NHS staff have reported sickness due to work related stress. Stress, burn out, exhaustion with worsening mental health; all these problems caused by a lack of rest are threatening to buckle our healthcare workers. This has only worsened since the COVID pandemic with staff sickness at an all time high and ultimately have had an effect on patient care. Rest Space survey on healthcare workers in the UK found that 88% said they had tired lapses over the work day. Of those 47% said it makes them slow and inefficient and 10% are adamant that it has an effect on patient safety. Sleep pods in the workplace can make all the difference. A simple 20 minute nap in a designated Rest Space can boost morale and motivation in employees and as a result, improve the quality of services for patients. Getting rest during shifts can help reduce the number of stress related sickness leave in NHS staff which in turn can lead to improvements in efficiency and productivity in the workplace as a whole. Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses is consistently the most reported reason for sickness absence, accounting for nearly 539,300 full time equivalent days lost and 19.9% of all sickness absence in January 2022. Overall, NHS staff sickness absences have cost the NHS an estimated £2.4 billion. Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust was the first hospital to trial sleep pods in the workplace in 2018. There was an overwhelming positive response from staff that reported they provided ‘better, safer care’ when they were fresh from a nap. The pods were frequently used between midnight to 4am and noon to 4pm and each stay was between 17 minutes to 24 minutes. The Trust also mentions that the staff spends time in the pods after their shift before driving home. Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said “Smart, forward-thinking employers are investing in staff wellbeing, and those who do tend to save money in the long run.” Investing in staff wellbeing does more than just improve staff productivity - there are also spillover benefits on brand image, staff recruitment and retention and number of sick days taken. So what exactly is stopping the NHS from investing in rest spaces in the workplace? The simple answer is budgeting. Although providing sleep pods seems like the most obvious answer, unfortunately for many hospitals, it is simply not a viable option. Budget issues are the biggest obstacle to providing these Rest Spaces. There is a significant opportunity cost involved when hospitals and surgeries decide where funding is most needed: often that means staff wellbeing must lose out. Priority is given to research and development or medical equipment innovation. There is also a certain level of reluctance to invest in staff wellbeing - with the general view that staff must ‘get on with it’; any wellbeing measures put in place are ‘reactive’ as opposed to ‘preventative’. But change is here, and it’s staying! Greater awareness around staff wellbeing in recent times is breaking the traditional stigma around rest in the workplace. More and more hospitals are recognising the importance of rest and are actively addressing wellbeing issues by creating space for sleep pods. Staff in managerial roles are advocating for greater investment into staff facilities such as Rest Spaces to address the issues of staff sickness and productivity. Get in touch here if you are interested in Rest Space and our products.

In your early stages of life, you loved to sleep. You may not remember much of it, but you slept at least 14 hours daily. Wouldn't that be nice as an adult? As we grow older, napping becomes less of a necessity and more seen as an unproductive way to spend the precious daytime. Sadly, our responsibilities pick up, stress levels increase, and we cannot lose too much time to sleep. Naps allow children's bodies and minds to rest and recharge as they grow and develop. Similarly, for adults, naps boost memory, reduce stress levels, and increase alertness; additionally lifting your mood. Working a napping routine into your daily work life can significantly improve performance. Why Children Nap As stated above, naps benefit children greatly. The main reason children nap is to develop growth hormones created by the body while sleeping; this is crucial for a child's quickly growing body. But as adults, that isn't entirely important to us. What else do children gain from waking up after their daily nap? A study on preschool children showed that napping increased performance in a memory game. There was an increased showing in preschoolers who nap daily over those who do not. Napping also puts kids in a better mood. Research claims that toddlers who miss even one nap become less interested, less excited, and anxious, and even the slightest stress aggravates them. Napping's effects are similar between children and adults when it comes to the mental aspects. Why Adults Should Nap When working, no matter what type of job, fatigue will kick in; we found that this affects 88% of people. The more tired you are, the less inclined you are to do your work. Is there a solution to this? The short answer is naps. Two MIT economists researched employees at a data entry job napping during the workday. Pedro Bessone and Frank Schilbach, the two economists, found that after three weeks of daily 30-minute naps, the employees had increased their productivity by 2.3%. Overall, napping has a positive impact on working adults. It offers various health benefits for adults, including relaxation, increased alertness, improved mood, and performance. We get it, though; napping isn't for everyone, and some people have trouble sleeping in places other than their own beds or during the day. But if you are experiencing sudden fatigue throughout the day, sleep loss, or just want to make napping a part of your routine, RestSpaceLDN can provide you with the necessary education and resources to get into a healthy, productive napping routine. If you have any questions about Rest Space and our company, feel free to contact us here.

It’s not surprising that the most restful and the most energetic parts of the day go hand in hand Have you noticed that the amount of work you put into the gym is not getting the results you want? Perhaps you have been skipping rest days and overworking to build as much muscle as possible. What you may not know is that the reason you aren’t getting strong in the appropriate time frame is because you aren’t getting enough sleep for your muscles to heal! Using time wisely Several people with active lifestyles feel that they don’t have enough time to receive the proper balance of working out and rest. Additionally, many people sacrifice sleep for exercise as they perceive sleep as a waste of time. This in turn causes overworking and less muscle growth. How muscles become stronger During workouts, muscle fibers become damaged. This causes muscles to be repaired stronger and thicker. However, the only time for muscles to recover is through sleep and active recovery, which many people refuse to take. The power of power naps Naps can also be used as a source of quick energy for athletes before performance. For example, athletes like Usain Bolt and LeBron James believe in napping before their competitions and have outstanding outcomes. Working out makes higher quality sleep Exercise releases a hormone called adenosine which can make someone feel slumberous by adjusting the circadian rhythm and making sleep more enjoyable. This also allows for improved sleep in active individuals when this hormone is not blocked by caffeinated supplements. Utilizing Rest Space It is important to have enough sleep to fuel workouts and daily activities.Sleep is essential for physical and mental recovery, and while this has regularly been misunderstood, sport is beginning to wake up to the importance of sleep. Rest Space provides an opportunity for people to catch extra sleep throughout the day with sleeping pods to fuel their bodies and recover from draining activities. Including fitness into your lifestyle may benefit your rest at night and make you stronger. If you have any questions about Rest Space and our company, feel free to contact us here.

Your environment is essential for napping and is something often easy to overlook. I used to think as long as my eyes are shut for 20+ min it means I got enough rest. Time spent resting is NOT an indication of a good rest, the quality of rest is everything. Your environment can affect the speed at which you reach the optimal sleep recovery states (REM and non-REM). Your environment can also impact the time you spend in these states. Quite simply if you get disturbed you exit your sleep cycle and it will take you time to start it again. I found it was worth spending 5 minutes setting up my environment to improve the quality of my naps. When thinking of your nap environment think of your 5 senses; smell, sight, touch, sound and taste. Smell This is something I concentrate on a bit more for a nighttime routine, for napping a pillow spray might be something I’d use. Sight In this context it's simple, you need an environment that's dark enough it allows you to fall asleep and stay asleep. When I am napping I like to let a crack of light in from the curtain as it makes it easier for me to wake up. # Touch Think comfort and temperature, if I have the luxury to change out of my jeans I do. Our body cools down to sleep so having somewhere a bit cooler generally is good. But depending on the length of your nap you may not need to take all this into account Sound The main aim of sound is to make sure it's not going to disturb your sleep, the TV, radio or road can disturb your sleep, when you are taken out of the deeper stages of your sleep cycles from disturbances you don’t get the full benefits and it takes you time to get back into these stages. Some sounds such as white noise (or brown noise), forest sounds or rain help some people get better sleep and help block out the noises that you can't control such as traffic. Taste I try not to have stronger foods such as chewing gum, dark chocolate, and high sugar foods before the nap. If I have a long nap I would these foods for after to help me get out of the groggy feeling. There are a few teas that are known to help you relax and sleep such as chamomile tea that you can drink before your nap. Or you can use more energising food and drinks to get you going after your nap. I would avoid caffeine as it is likely to affect your night's sleep if you are having it in the afternoon. I have found from the many napping conversations I have had that most people have certain senses that impact them more, some are light sleepers and sound makes a big difference. Other people, I have spoken to respond really well to aromatherapy and pillow sprays. Find what works for you and experiment with it. When you're not working, or napping, from home - we've created the best place to have a nap. Informed by these factors and the latest sleep science, our rest spaces really create the best nap environment. Get in touch if you want these spaces at your workplace.