Students comfortably recline for a nap to restore energy at Shixin Experimental School in Xinwu district, Wuxi of Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In a departure from the typical lunch break routine for most primary and secondary school learners in China, students at Shixin Experimental School in Xinwu district, Wuxi of Jiangsu province, no longer need to nap hunched over their desks.

The school has introduced recliners and installed ergonomic desks and chairs throughout the classrooms. Students can adjust their chairs to a comfortable reclining angle and pull out a hidden footrest from under the desk. The design is simple enough for first-grade students to operate independently.

According to the school, the reclining position aligns with the natural curvature of the spine, providing even support for the neck and lower back, and effectively reducing the static muscle fatigue associated with desk napping. The horizontal posture also helps relieve pressure on blood vessels in the eye, helping to prevent visual fatigue.

The school reports that since implementing the reclining nap initiative, students have shown a marked improvement in concentration during afternoon classes, leading to better academic performance.