fatigue and naps at the workplace

[ignatz]

Hello all,

The fatigue has progressed to the point where it's getting really hard to function at work. I seem to hit a wall at 1 or 2pm where I can barely think and no amount of coffee or even adderall can help. If it's the weekend and I'm at home I lie down for 20-30 mins and feel much better. At work I have to try to fight through it and it makes me miserable.

I work at a fairly progressive institution and I was going to ask if they were ok with me taking 'nap breaks'. Has anyone else had any luck getting this concession at the workplace?

OR, is there some way to avoid these deep lulls? I don't think I'm doing anything obviously wrong, I eat a healthy light lunch and exercise in the morning.

I'm a 55yo male and I'm trying hard to avoid disability.

thanks in advance,
Ig

[Nymph]

I think that would definitely count as a "reasonable accommodation". Does your employer know about your health conditions? You may need to document, meet with HR, etc. But ultimately it is in their best interest to have you as productive as possible. There are lots of studies on naps increasing productivity, if you need some additional ammo.

[Joe S.]

FMLA - I can not say enough good about this. It allowed me to work full time longer. When my job moved, I did find a part time job that allowed me to work around the hours that I hit the wall.

[wendyoh]

I have had informal accommodations for years at my job (its a non-physical job) where I would pace my schedule to go from upright to horizontal-- so could do some tasks like phone calls or laptop from a couch lying down.  We made it official a year ago where I filled out the paperwork and talked to HR etc I had my rheumatologist do the paperwork, I have known him for years and he thinks outside of the box. I was lucky I didn't have any problem, I felt stressed doing it because its awkward, not how I wanted to picture my life back in the day but its been this way for years now, am about your age.  You are lucky if just a once  a day 2o minute lie down helps I think you should go for it, if we don't take care of ourself no one else, even the kindest, in the workplace, shall. I have felt relieved since then that the things I need to do differently than my coworkers can't be questioned by management, most of my coworkers don't know about it, as we have private offices.

[quietdynamics]

When I was working (even before Dx) during lunchtime, I would leave the work environment and eat outside in the fresh air. Here in the North that meant in bad weather sometimes sitting in my car with windows cracked open and enjoying music as well.
This allowed me to finished the rest of day more refreshed.
If time allowed I could take a walk as well.

Even now I find that when I feel myself falling into fatigue, I very often sit outside (even in the cold) to get fresh air and feel infinitely better.

I really struggled to not interrupt the circadian rhythm and then have problems sleeping at night.

Just something outside the box.
(I also needed to change lights at home to "daylight"  one.. otherwise I really feel fatigued.)

[ignatz]

Thanks for all the ideas. Its been stressful fighting against this and I think that's part of the problem - trying to 'power through it' like I have been doing is not a good idea for my health or productivity. From your suggestions I can see a way I may accommodate it that would be best for everyone.

@Nymph - I do think they would consider it, I'll talk to my Doc about some sort of documentation.

@Joe S - I hadn't heard of the FMLA before to be honest but now that I think of it we just had an employee was on medical leave for 3 months that was probably using the FMLA benefit. I'll start reading up on it.

@WendyOh - There's been a couple of times where I've been so out of it I had to lay down on the floor, fortunately no one came in my office those times. I agree that some sort of formal arrangement would be for the best though. I work with a pretty good group of people but it's good to have these things officially ok'd by HR so there's no one thinking I'm in my office snoozing all day. )

@quietd - I do find that a change in environment can be helpful. A daily walk in the afternoon could be very helpful I think.

thanks again,
Ig

[warmwaters]

I think you've gotten good advice. I'll add that one of the hardest things for me to adapt to is the fact that about 3-5 pm, I'm useless.

I've been out of work for many years now, so it's not the same, but basically, about 3-5 days of the week, at 3pm I just have to sleep. Or as my family calls it "the sleep of the dead".  I'm gone, and not much will rouse me.

If you can find a way to have a short lunch, followed by a rest, sure sounds like a good solution.

[SabbraCadabra]

I don't smoke, and I've got my own desk at work, so when I really need to, I'll adjust my chair to recline, and spend my break with a good power nap. The one good thing about fatigue is that I go out like a light switch.

They make fun of me every once in a while, but they generally don't care.

My work area's pretty dark, but if it's allowed where you work, you can do the good, old-fashioned baseball cap pulled down over the face.

[bloodless]

I bring my lunch and close the door and turn my lights off, read my kindle while I eat. All office chairs have that little bar you pull out, so you can lean back. I pull a chair that sits in front of my desk in front, rest my feet on it and lean back. I have one of those neck pillows I keep in my desk I rest my head on. Sometimes I take a nap and sometimes just rest like that while I read. It's been very helpful. I'm thinking about getting one of those college foam flip chairs. I bet that would be good nap material!

[Nymph]

That's great! I have a thick exercise mat that I can just roll out on the floor behind my desk and nobody can see me from the little window on my classroom door!

[SjoDry]

Ig,

I routinely use my lawn chair cushion (that I keep in my office) for quick naps as needed. Now granted, my husband & I own the business. But I would think that any employer should be able to accommodate this (particularly if it is medically related). I have never heard of a business dictating how you use your break..assuming it is with a legal activity.

Take Care.
SjoDry