Good rest prevents burnout and improves work performance

The neurologist explains the importance of rest for work performance and to avoid problems such as burnout syndrome

We are entering the final part of the year, school holidays and work breaks, in other words, the ideal time to rest. But in reality the ideal is to set aside time for rest every day of the year. The goal is to avoid health problems, such as burnout syndrome.

Relationship between rest and work performance

According to Dr André Vanzan, neurologist at Segmedic, rest is essential for the recovery of the body and mind after physical and mental stress. “When they are overloaded, they can manifest an organic and emotional condition that compromises their productivity. Not to mention the general health of the person, this recovery period being essential”, he emphasizes.

As for the length of this recovery period, André says that sleep duration largely depends on the individual’s age. According to the doctor, adolescents and young adults should sleep 8 to 10 hours. In the case of the elderly, this rest can last from 6 to 8 hours. Of course, the problem of daytime naps remains.

Is taking a nap bad for your sleep quality or health?

The neurologist states that cooking in the afternoon in itself is not harmful to your health. In fact, he recalls a recent study in favor of the “siesta”, as long as it lasts up to 30 minutes. “What you can’t do is sleep in the afternoon or swap day for night, which reverses the circadian cycle and impacts overall health, hypertension, the risk of cardiovascular and even emotional events,” he warns.

In 2021, NASA released a study stating that naps of up to 20 minutes help restore cognitive function to about the same level as a good night’s sleep. And energy recovery can be around 50%.

The agency analyzed the impacts of this short rest on a team of pilots. The researchers found that when they slept for 26 minutes in the afternoon, alertness improved by up to 54 percent and performance increased by 34 percent.

Is there a right position for sleeping and/or relaxing?

Another important factor for rest is the position chosen for sleeping or relaxing. For André there is no right position. The ideal posture, in fact, is one that allows complete relaxation, without overloading the muscle groups and waking up tired. “The pillow and mattress should be chosen with the person in mind and the pillow should be changed frequently, especially in people with back problems,” he adds.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.