A discussion that took up several minutes in the pub last year, throughout my journalism course, was whether I was narcoleptic. I became renowned for my ability to fall asleep, for a few minutes in any time, place or lecture.

It’s a habit that I suffer from sporadically, it doesn’t currently affect me, but it was something I used to do at school from time to time during my A-levels and during my undergraduate degree.

I always maintained that I was not narcoleptic, merely tired. I worked very hard. Especially during A-levels when I was regularly up till midnight or later with homework. My postgraduate course was intensive and I often got up at 5am.

But now I realise I’m not narcoleptic, I’m merely practising the traditional Japanese custom of inemuri. I’m napping but I’m still present.

All the symptoms are there, from sleeping in the upright position to show I’m still socially active to the increased productivity afterwards. This was always my major argument against the narcoleptic theory: I am so much more productive afterwards, I’m just suffering from tiredness. And I could always remember afterwards more or less what had been discussed in my “absence” I just wasn’t fully conscious.

To some extent, I jest. But I do believe the current work culture in the UK is not conducive to producing happy, well-rested, efficient workers. If the BBC article is accurate then our current lifestyles could have a seriously negative impact on our collective health. Something needs to change. I know the British climate legislates against a siesta in the middle of the day (it’s dark at 5 o’clock at the moment and who wants to stay up late working in darkness) but I really think regular breaks need to become part of working lifestyle.

According to Health and Safety rules, you should have a ten minute break from the computer every hour. Does anyone know anyone who actually does this?