Do you ever catch yourself dozing off at work? It’s not uncommon: Many of us get hit with that wall of tiredness at some point in the 8-hour workday. However, most workplaces don’t encourage rest on the clock, even though it’s proven to improve overall work performance. Despite what workplace tradition may tell you, sleep is your best friend, and more employers should encourage it in the workplace. 

If you’re open to the idea of catching some shuteye in the office, you’re probably wondering just how much sleep we’re talking about. As you may have guessed, we’re not talking about 1-hour naps after your lunch break. We’re referring to what’s commonly called a “power nap” — a 10–20 minute nap intended to rejuvenate you. 20 to 26 minutes is the ideal length for a workplace nap; anything more, and you risk sliding into the first stages of a full sleep cycle, which will leave feeling groggy before you reap the benefits of that nap. 

If your office isn’t “sleep friendly,” then it’s up to you to carve out a time and place to get that shuteye in. Your car is always an option, but you can also take advantage of quiet places in your office, like your desk or even your break room if you have one. To learn more about the advantages of sleep in the workplace, check out this infographic from Tommy John.