It is commonplace in Spain, Greece and most of the Mediterranean but having a siesta in this part of the world is not something many businesses promote.
But some more forward thinking international companies are encouraging staff to take an afternoon nap in a bid to improve performance and productivity. Firms in the United States and London, including Procter & Gamble, Google and PricewaterhouseCooper have all caught on to the benefits and have invested in special sleep units to encourage staff to have 40 winks.
MetroNaps was founded in 2003 and after testing at Carnegie Mellon University, the US-based company launched the EnergyPod, a chaise-longue-shaped chair with a semi-circle lid to help users combat daytime fatigue.
It has proved particularly popular in the United States, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, where a number of firms from the technology sector to hospitals have utilised it to help staff beat the mid-afternoon slump.
Marcus de Guingand, Managing Director of MetroNaps UK, has been napping for the past two years since he joined the company after giving up his job in banking and says it has changed his approach to working in the afternoon. "I nap for 20 minutes as that's the longest you can do without feeling groggy because it isn't long enough to go into a deep sleep. I've noticed a massive difference. When I look back at my old job I know I was useless in the afternoon but now I can take a nap and work comfortably through to the evening without a problem," he says.
Computer software firm Cisco has installed the pods in its North Carolina office but it was unable to confirm whether Dubai employees have the same benefit. Other companies, meanwhile, have invested in the Oculas OV2, which encloses the napper entirely so they are literally shut out of the world.
But while de Guingand revealed they will be shipping the first EnergyPods to Dubai this month we failed to find a company that has woken up to the idea. Emirates provides gyms and spas for its staff, but a spokesperson said: "We are not considering introducing sleep pods to our offices at this time."
A number of research studies have been carried out that prove how effective catnaps can be, with results confirming they reverse information overload and help improve memory. Other studies, meanwhile, have shown that benefits go beyond this; a quick sleep can have a positive effect on cell repair and heart functions.
De Guingand also says that because the EnergyPod raises the feet in line with the heart it boosts circulation.
Humphrey Klinkenberg, the principle consultant for UK sleep clinic Sleepwise, says that a short afternoon kip can also reduce stress levels, which can be particularly debilitating in today's modern fast-paced world.
"Power naps are very important, especially for people who suffer from stress because they allow the mind to reset itself in the same way a computer needs re-booting. Various techniques can be used to make the most of a nap. Even just five minutes can help because it is the equivalent of 20 minutes at night. It is a very important skill to learn especially in today's high-pressured environment," he says.
So even though some people may think their colleague is being lazy, the napper might be the one to have the last laugh – if they can stay awake long enough. "There's a stigma attached to napping and people think it may affect their reputation but it shouldn't.
"If Winston Churchill could win the war by taking a nap then it must have some benefits," adds de Guingand.
TOP SLEEP TIPS
- Find a quiet place away from the hub of the office
- Turn off the lights to help prepare the body
- Drink a cup of coffee just before so that when the caffeine kicks in it will be time to get back to work
- Eat foods high in calcium and protein as they aid sleep
- Wait one hour after lunch before sleeping, a full stomach will keep you awake