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In America, nappers are often likened to slackers, with exceptions made for the very young, very old, very ill and very pregnant. Afternoon snoozing is just not something we condone, preferring instead to be seen worldwide as movers and shakers who push those envelopes. We even coined the anti-napping cliché: you snooze, you lose!

In many parts of the world, though, napping after the midday meal is a time-honored tradition. We're all familiar with the siesta in Spanish-speaking countries, which, loosely translated, means the sixth hour of the day is designated for eyes and shops to close for at least 60 minutes. In China, an afternoon xiuxi is considered a constitutional right, while over in Japan, companies encourage workers to snooze in napping rooms or at their desks. Greeks are so loyal to the midday doze that they were selected to participate in a study about napping health benefits.

The Results Are In

The study, reported in the February 12, 2007 "Archives of Internal Medicine," a journal of the American Medical Association, tracked 23,681 healthy Greek men and women between the ages of 20 and 86 for six years.

The study concluded that those who took a 30-minute midday nap at least three times weekly had a 37 percent lower risk of dying from heart attacks or other heart problems. The study authors wrote, "We interpret our findings as indicating that among healthy adults, siesta, possibly on account of stress-releasing consequences, may reduce coronary mortality."

It's time for Americans to rethink naps, and leading the way is Bill Anthony, Boston University professor, and his wife Camille. Together they run The Napping Company, napping workshops and www.napping.com. Bill and Camille also recently co-wrote The Art of Napping at Work. "In our workshops, we talk about napping in a playful way, so we have fun and don't put anyone to sleep, but my intent is serious," Bill says. "Napping is good for your performance, mood and health. Performance means your ability to stay on task, your memory skills and your concentration. Your mood is how satisfied you feel. Health is about fewer sick days and less stress."

Listen to the Rhythm

From a physiological standpoint, Bill's napping instinct is on target. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), tiredness generally traces back to either sleep deprivation or our internal circadian biological clock, which regulates sleepiness and wakefulness. According to NSF, "The circadian rhythm dips and rises at different times of the day, so adults' strongest sleep drive generally occurs between 2:00-4:00 a.m. and in the afternoon between 1:00-3:00 p.m."

So, if you hit a slump every afternoon, around 1:00 p.m., try swapping the coffee cup for a quick nap. Your mind and body will thank you!