Researching for the best nap accessories can conjure a long list of items that may not be the best option for you, as not all workspaces are the same. Therefore, targeting what may be preventing you from napping at work is essential.
In this article, we help you find the best napping space at work first and then show you how to zone in on any issues in that environment that are dissuading you from receiving the benefits of napping so you can learn how to nap comfortably in office settings.
Why You Should Nap in the Office
There are more than a few reasons why you should nap in the office.
Many people have negatively labeled napping as an adult, linking it with laziness or low energy drive, which may have dissuaded you from finding how to nap comfortably in office settings. Our mission is to present the benefits of napping in the office and how it can help your work drive and overall health.
There are pros and cons of napping, but the pros are superior and more readily accessible than the cons, which can easily be avoided. The benefits of napping, like elevated energy and a boosted immune system, are backed by science-based studies. For example, this study proved that napping improves physical and cognitive performance. This functions to hone a person’s ability to focus for improvements in concentration in the workplace.
Another pro of why you should nap in the office is better memory recall. A power nap in the office can cement new learnings in the brain and memory. This is crucial in the workforce for enhancing the quality of performance.
Why So Many Struggle to Nap Comfortably in the Office
Are you frustrated, wondering why you can’t nap during the day? Unfortunately, there may be a few reasons getting in the way of sleeping comfortably in the office. Find out what may prevent you from reaping the benefits of napping in the office below so you can learn how to nap in office settings without a hitch!
Noise
If you’re a sensitive sleeper, you may be unable to nap in the office if noise levels are loud or inconsistent. The best way to overcome noise issues is to find the perfect sleeping environment void of imposing room acoustics or buy noise-blocking tools like earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. These tools can provide the necessary silence or relaxing sounds to fall asleep successfully and wake up focused and energized.
Light
One of the biggest factors getting in the way of you learning how to nap in office settings comfortably is light.
Light exposure dramatically contributes to sleep quality and the ability to fall asleep smoothly. Melatonin is a sleep-promoting hormone that heavily influences circadian rhythm, the body’s 24-hour internal clock responsible for coordinating many body processes, including sleep.
When exposed to light, the secretion of melatonin is suppressed. This includes dim light and blue lights from technology devices. If you struggle to nap in the office, try an eye or sleep mask to block out excess light.
Anxiety
For the restless or anxious sleeper, it can be near impossible to nap in the office. However, there are more than a few methods to combat anxiety and restlessness. Natural products, like lavender sprays made from essential oil, can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality in people with anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
Breathing techniques can also be beneficial in combating restlessness or anxiety, helping to relax and soothe the body into sleep. For example, professionals such as nurses, Navy SEALS, and police officers use breathing techniques such as box breathing to relax and reduce stress. If done repeatedly, focusing on each breath, this method can ease anxiety by relaxing the body to nap successfully in the workplace.
Discomfort
If you’re uncomfortable, napping will not come easy at work. However, napping position is a significant contributor to falling asleep, and the quality of rest and napping benefits after that.
It is recommended to sleep on your back to maintain spinal alignment for even weight distribution to prevent aches or pains. Other napping positions can instigate problems like stiffness or tension in the neck and back, leading to further painful and serious concerns like herniated discs.
Where Can You Nap in the Office if You Don’t Have Your Own Space?
If you don’t have an office space to nap in, there are other options to take advantage of to receive the benefits of napping for improved work performance. To learn how to nap comfortably in the office, continue reading below to see which option can work best for you!
Conference Room
If the conference room isn’t booked or in use, it can make for a great space to take a quick power nap. As the space is often enclosed, it is more silent than other spaces in the office. The lights can be dimmed down to prevent them from affecting sleep quality.
If your workspace allows it, you can also book the conference room to ensure no one attempts to use the space while you are napping.
Your Car
As not all work environments allow napping, napping in your car may be the best bet in these types of instances.
Park your car in a shaded area to eliminate overpowering light. Set up the space inside your car to be a relaxing napping space. Spray lavender spray, play soothing music, bring a soft blanket and a pillow, and use a sleeping mask to eliminate light.
Supply Room
If the supply room at work boasts the perfect space, create a comfy nook to nap. Get the go-ahead to ensure you follow all safety protocols beforehand. Highly trafficked supply rooms may not be the best bet for napping space. Less trafficked supply rooms are ideal for preventing disturbances during nap time.
Just Nap at Your Desk - We’ll Explain How!
Napping at your desk can be the more convenient option, but it can also be less ideal if you aren’t promoting the perfect napping position or the office is loud.
To establish the ultimate napping space at your desk, follow our tips below!
How to Nap in the Office Comfortably: 8 Tips to Snooze Soundly & Wake Up Rejuvenated
These factors need to be considered if you want to learn how to nap in the office comfortably. These eight tips will help you fall asleep smoothly, so you can wake up feeling rejuvenated to finish the day’s work efficiently!
Invest in Yourself - Get a Quality Napping Bed for the Office!
To discover how to nap in the office and receive the napping benefits, you need to invest in yourself with quality tools.
The world’s first giant dog bed for humans and #1 choice for quality napping in the office, Plufl’s napping product boasts the ultimate comfort with a high-quality design.
Made with comfort in mind, the giant dog bed for humans features supportive orthopedic, and memory foam, a built-in pillow bolster to elevate your feet to reduce tension, ultra-soft material for reduced stress and anxiety, and a plush pillow border to tuck your hands and feet in for sensory relief. The bed’s cover is machine-washable with easy removal. The handles on this powerful napping product establish easy transportation and storage so you can take advantage of the napping’s benefits for improved performance in the workplace!
Eliminate Sources of Light
Eliminate sources of light for better sleep quality. Use a sleeping mask if light can not be dimmed or eliminated in your napping space. This can help drastically reduce the light hitting the eyes, resulting in low melatonin production that can prevent sleep.
Get Noise Cancelling Headphones & Try White Noise
Noise-canceling headphones can be a great tool if your napping environment is loud or hectic with erratic acoustics. Use white noise to improve sleep quality.
White noise has been proven to improve sleep in high-noise environments. This study used white noise on individuals living in high-noise environments in New York City to see whether it effectively promoted sleep quality. The study successfully verified that white noise benefits individuals who struggle to sleep in high-noise environments.
Set an Alarm & Put Your Phone Out of Reach
The best way to nap and feel rested is to set the alarm to time your naps, and if you tend to ignore alarms, make sure your volume is high, and your phone is out of reach.
For napping, it’s recommended not to nap longer than 20 minutes to avoid any post-nap fogginess. It’s also vital to not sleep after 3 PM as it can affect your ability to fall asleep at nighttime. This can depend on whether you work the graveyard shift at work or not, where taking a nap at 4 PM can instead be beneficial for you to be alert for work.
Go on Do Not Disturb Mode and Put a Sign on Your Door
Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode to prevent any pesky notifications from popping up to deter you from napping correctly. This doesn’t stop your phone’s alarm from alerting you when it’s time to wake up but instead prevents any messages, phone calls, or app notifications from buzzing or making noise so you can peacefully get some Zzzs.
Placing a sign on the door to your office, the supply room, or the conference room is a good idea if you don’t want anyone walking in to disturb you. As not all doors are lockable, putting a sign up can deter anyone from walking in.
Have Some Caffeine on Standby
If you tend to oversleep or are concerned with feeling foggy when waking up post-nap, have some caffeine on standby. The caffeine boost can place a pep in your step and rejuvenate you after your nap.
Take Your Nap After Lunch
Eating lunch before your nap can prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) by balancing glucose levels. Low blood sugar can disrupt sleep and affect sleep quality.
Sleeping hungry is difficult, with hunger pangs and low blood sugar reducing the likelihood of falling asleep and achieving the benefits of napping.
Try and Stick to Your New Routine - it Gets Easier With Time!
Learning how to nap in the office can be difficult at first.
Obtaining a steady routine with anything new can take practice and perseverance. The same goes for sticking to a new routine for learning how to power nap in office settings. Test out the different methods of napping in the workplace combined with beneficial napping products like Plufl’s giant dog bed for humans to review which one works best for you in your workplace.
Final Thoughts on How to Power Nap in Office Settings
Learning how to power nap in office settings can seem impossible, but it’s not!
A myriad of components can affect the success or possibility of napping in work environments. That’s why we’ve detailed how to effectively target these problems so you can enjoy the outstanding benefits of napping, like improved performance and memory recall, to stay on your toes at work.
Ranked #1 for best gifts for nappers is Plufl’s giant dog bed for humans, masterfully designed to promote the ultimate relaxation for reducing tension, stress, and anxiety. And its transportability makes it easy to move around at the office to place at your desk, in the conference room, or even in the car!
Improve your work performance with Plufl’s giant dog bed for humans today!
