What if the key to boosting your productivity and mental health wasn’t working longer hours, but taking longer breaks? Countries around the world that prioritize employee “breathers” are seeing healthier, more constructive workers. Is it the United States’ time to follow their lead and integrate a daily naptime?
If you attended public school as a child, you most likely experienced “naptime,” or some other sort of rest period in kindergarten. However, the days of scheduled relaxation are a thing of the past for those of us in college and the workplace, but there may be many benefits to a midday break.
The typical American workday begins at 9 a.m. and ends around 5 p.m. Employees normally receive a 30-minute pause for lunch, but some Americans do not even have the luxury of such a break. In fact, 70% of employees eat while they work at their desk, according to Workforce.com.
In contrast, several European countries, including Spain, Italy, Greece and the Netherlands have embraced midday breaks as part of their cultural practices. In these regions, workdays may include a respite of up to three hours, allowing time for leisurely lunches and even naps. One of the most well-known of these traditions is Spain’s “siesta,” a midday rest period.
The prevalence of siestas varies by location. In smaller towns with fewer tourists, siestas are commonly observed, but in larger cities, these recesses are less common. According to KLR.com, the siesta is becoming less common among younger generations in Spain.
Other countries have their own equivalents to the Spanish siesta, with Greece observing this practice under the same name, and Italy calling theirs “reposo.” Each version of these siestas has the same principle: an extended midday break to give workers time for rest and rejuvenation.
There are a multitude of benefits to resting in the middle of the day, including revived alertness, better moods and increased performance. Although naps and midday rest are beneficial, Mayo Clinic suggests that that naps remain short and sweet — lasting only 20-30 minutes in length. Sleep any longer and you may disturb your overnight sleep cycle, causing further drowsiness and headaches.
Breaks within the day don’t have to limited to the purpose of napping, and I believe that it would be beneficial for Americans to receive multipurpose breathers that are longer than 30 minutes. Working for eight to nine hours at a time is exhausting and stressful. According to OSHA, over 83% of workers in the United States suffer from work-related stress.
The right work-life balance can be difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain. However, in a 2024 survey conducted by Statista, only around 20% of employees in the Netherlands experienced work-related burnout and stress. Countries that allow more frequent breaks during the workday reported less employee stress and burnout.
The evidence is compelling. Longer breaks during the workday are vital for fostering a more supportive and caring environment. While extended breaks may not be practical for all occupations, they could have a significant positive impact on traditional nine to five employees.
Incorporating longer breaks into the workday could be a game-changer for American employees. By adopting practices from other countries that prioritize rest — such as Spain’s siesta — the United States could create a healthier, more balanced workforce. Ultimately, I would argue that rest and employee breaks are not only beneficial, but necessary for a thriving work-life balance.
Long is a staff writer for the Liberty Champion.