Calls to make nap part of working day after latest study on brain benefits

Experts say allowing brief doze may help businesses and employees boost productivity as well as health

• I'm greatly energised afterwards': readers tell us how they nap

Winston Churchill was a past master, while Salvador Dali made it an art and Margaret Thatcher allegedly did it in the back of her official car. Napping has long been a habit of the elite, but recent research has led to renewed calls for employees to be allowed to doze on the job, too.

According to a study published this week, habitual napping appears to be associated with a larger brain volume in adults, with scientists suggesting this raised the possibility the practice offers some protection against neurodegeneration - although experts stressed that further research was needed. The work followed previous studies that suggested a brief doze could improve people's ability to learn.