The suggestion of German doctors in the face of the heat wave: set up a nap during working hours

Although Germany did not suffer from the temperatures that scorched southern Europe this week, public health officials there have suggested napping during working hours during the summer months due to extreme weather conditions.

This summer, the thermometer sometimes exceeded 30 ° C in Germany and reached 38.8 ° C in Bavaria on Saturday. Since then, the records have collapsed. Still, summer temperatures have been warm enough that the head of the German Association of Public Health Physicians (BVÖGD), Johannes Niessen, is proposing the country reform its working habits during heat waves.

“We must follow the example of working practices in southern countries when it is hot. Getting up early, working productively in the morning and taking a nap at noon is a concept we should embrace during the summer months,” Niessen told the RND news group in remarks published on Tuesday.

“People aren’t as efficient in hot weather as they are at other times,” he added. “In addition, sleeping poorly due to lack of cooling during the night leads to problems with concentration.” Germany does not have the custom of the long afternoon break that is common, for example, in Spain, the Associated Press noted.

According to the doctor, it is advisable to perform work that requires greater demand during the early morning hours. Likewise, he stressed the importance of light clothing to avoid the heat, even if the company does not allow it. “There should be enough fans and lighter clothes, even if the office dress code doesn’t allow it,” he said.

On the other hand, he stressed the importance of drinking plenty more fluids and eating light foods in several small portions throughout the day. “A cold foot bath under the desk would also be a way to cool off during telework hours,” Niessen said.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach responded favorably to the suggestion on Tuesday, but said the decision was up to companies and employees. He tweeted that “taking a nap in the heat is definitely not a bad idea”, but added that the government would not interfere in this discussion. “Employers and employees should negotiate alone,” he wrote. “It certainly makes medical sense in many professions.”

A government spokesman said on Wednesday such moves should be “taken very seriously” against the backdrop of a “massive change in summer temperatures”.

The spokesperson added that some workplaces, including those outdoors, are facing serious challenges due to extreme weather conditions. “I see this as a serious issue that will preoccupy us for years to come,” he said.