by Frances Stanford

Created on: February 29, 2008

In 2008, National Napping Day will be held on Monday, March 10. National Napping Day is the first Monday following the beginning of daylight savings time. This year it is earlier than usual because of the change in the "spring ahead" for the change in time on Sunday, March 9. Since employees lose an hour of sleep with the time change, the purpose of National Napping Day is to allow them an extra hour of sleep. It is usually held at lunchtime so that employees can have a nap at this time.

Many companies have adopted the principle behind allowing employees to lie down and have a nap. It is designed to demonstrate the importance of getting enough sleep and the relationship between sleep and good health. When a person is tired, he/she cannot perform on the job to the best of one's ability.

National Napping Day is also an opportunity for fundraising for a good cause. This year, the Four Points by Sheraton Hotels has signed on a s corporate sponsor of the events. In the past companies have provided a free lunch complete with violin players to serenade the employees at work. Yarde Metals of Bristol, Connecticut developed a unique idea of holding a Napalooza (similar to a wake-a-thon) to help raise money for homeless children. The QuaLife Wellness Company hosted a Napathon Snooze-Off, with the winner taking home a brand new mattress.

Napping Day was first established in 2000 and the media reported on events that were held all over the country. Every event provided information on the benefits of napping during the day. Experts state that having a nap during the day is good for your health, allowing you to sleep better at night because you are not overtired. They also say that those who nap during the day are better able to relieve stress and actually live longer. Being sleepy is also the leading cause of automobile accidents on the highway as well as accidents at work.

If you or your company want to become involved in events for National Napping Day and want others in the country to know about it, contact the Napping company at info@napping.com. You can also have experts come to your workplace to deliver workshops on this issue. The health of employees is just as important as the work they do.

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