They snooze in parking garages, on side streets before the afternoon school run, in nap pods rented by the hour, or stretched out in bed while working from home. People who make a habit of sleeping on the job comprise a secret society of sorts within the U.S. labor force. Inspired by famous power nappers Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein, today’s committed nap-takers often sneak in short rest breaks because they think the practice will improve their cognitive performance. Unfortunately, the practice still carries a stigma. Studies have extolled the benefits of napping, such as enhanced memory and focus. A mid-afternoon siesta is the norm in parts of Spain and Italy, while nodding off in China and Japan is encouraged. Yet, it’s hard to catch a few z’s during regular business hours in the United States, where people who nap are viewed as lazy. The federal government even bans sleeping in its buildings while at work. What most nappers don’t realize is that naps should be limited to the 15- to 20-minute range. Anything longer and you could have problems with sleep inertia — difficulty waking up followed by grogginess. There’s always the problem of where to sleep. Inspired by his mother, who worked as a nurse, Neil Wong founded Nap York, which offers sleeping pods in Manhattan and Queens that can be rented for $25 an hour. His regular customers include super-commuters, UPS drivers, security guards, and doctors who work at nearby hospitals. Nap York also gives half-off prices to essential workers such as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel. “In this society, you really only have two places to sleep: you have your bed at home and you have a hotel room you can probably get for $100,” Wong said. “There’s really no third space that’s quiet, that provides some privacy, where you can also rest.”
