Ancient work habits.
In Ancient Rome, most people worked from sunrise until midday, this means only about six hours a day. Afternoons were used for leisure, socialising, or visiting the famous Roman baths. Work and life balance was more important than in later centuries, where long work days were a norm. Long meals, family time, and public entertainment were considered just as important as labor. Sounds amazing, right?
The world’s first “weekend” wasn’t two days.
When the idea of weekends first spread in the early 20th century, some factories gave workers Saturday afternoons off instead of the whole day. The reason was that so many employees were sneaking out early for football matches or church events anyway. Over time, the “half-day Saturday” stretched into a full two-day weekend, giving us the schedule we know today.
Nap time as a productivity tool? It is called Siesta!
In Spain and other Mediterranean countries, the siesta was (and still is in some places) more than a cultural habit – it was a smart and needed response to very hot afternoons. Shops and offices closed so workers could rest, then reopen later in the evening. While siestas are less common today, science confirms that short naps improve focus and energy. Some modern companies have reinvented the practice with “power naps” or nap pods in offices.
The 5-day, 40-hour workweek.
In 1914, Henry Ford (we all know him as the founder of Ford Motor Company) surprised the business world by reducing shifts in his factories to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Until then, 6-day weeks of 10–12 hours were the norm. Many thought shorter hours would kill productivity, but Ford discovered the opposite instead. Well-rested employees worked better, stayed longer in their jobs, and even had more time to spend the money they earned.