Naps Can Be Beneficial Even At Work

We all know that the more rested we are, the more productive we are. We also know that the reality is, we don't always get all the rest we need. Our bodies have to rest to recharge, so when we have those days where we feel worn down, we can take an UnNap Nap. You can take these UnNap Naps anywhere and anytime. Even at work.

MSN Careers reports that taking just a minute to relieve tension in your muscles, can be beneficial.

You probably can't take naps at work -- about half of Fortune 500 corporations will fire you or reprimand you if you nap on the job.

Instead, take an UnNap Nap using the paradoxical relaxation technique. UnNap Naps can be taken in a very short time, one to three minutes, though you can certainly take longer ones.

What it is: It's all about paying attention to muscle tension -- that's it.

Why it is "paradoxical" relaxation? Because you rest and relax by not relaxing -- thus the paradox.

How to take an UnNap:

1. Sit in a comfortable place (try this first when you're not at work).

2. Start with any muscle in the head that feels tight. Can't find one? If you're looking at a screen all day, the middle of your forehead should feel tight; others find that some spot on their neck is always a bit tight.

3. Put one hand over your closed eyes (if asked at work, you can say you have a little headache you're trying to fix).

4. With your other hand, point at the muscle that's a bit tense in order to focus on it; put your hand back.

5. Continue to focus all your attention on the tense muscle. Feel it. Sense it. Don't relax it or tense it. Just focus on it. You can also visualize the muscle. Muscles work like a set of teeth in a comb -- when they're tense, they bunch up; when relaxed, they pull away from each other.

6. Sense that muscle and its tension for 30 seconds.

7. Pull your hand away from your eyes and open them.

Now, think about how the muscle feels. Does it feel relaxed? What about the rest of your body?

Here's where the paradox comes in -- with all your attention focused on one spot, the rest of the body relaxes.

Now, sense other muscles on your face or head that are tense. Choose one. For the next 15 seconds, just sense that muscle alone. Feel it with your complete attention. Continue until you feel more relaxed.