iStockphoto
Inside an MRI machine, an abandoned part of a chemical plant, and on the floor of the work bathroom number among some of the craziest places people have snuck in a nap, according to a recent survey.
A new study of 2,000 Americans examined people’s relationship with napping and found other surprising places people have caught a bit of shuteye include a coal mine, on a ski lift going up a mountain, and even while waiting for their food in a drive-thru.
The research, which was commissioned by Lovesac Furniture Company and conducted by OnePoll, also finally put an end to the “do naps actually work?” debate- three out of four Americans feel rejuvenated after a little afternoon snooze, wherever it may occur.
Not only that, 75 percent of Americans also feel more productive after a nap, with 24 percent saying they feel “a lot more” productive. In fact, the majority of Americans (76 percent) go as far as to consider a nap to be “essential” when they’re feeling sluggish.
Results also showed that napping is perhaps a lot more common than suspected when it comes to Americans’ daily routines – 23 percent say they lay down for a nap each and every day.
The results found that the perfect length of a nap is actually 45 minutes, with the majority (84 percent) of Americans insisting that a good nap needs to be longer than 20 minutes.
But a nap doesn’t always stay a nap. According to the results, a nap becomes a full-fledged “sleep” after 70 minutes of dozing.
The survey saw respondents vote on the perfect napping conditions and found that the bed is still the most popular piece of furniture to conk out on (62 percent), with laying down on a couch coming in a distant second (35 percent).
One in five (20 percent) say the perfect nap occurs just after eating a big meal, with 36 percent saying the quality of nap is vastly improved if they have their pet right by their side.
“The results were pretty clear,” said Shawn Nelson, Founder and CEO of Lovesac. “The majority of Americans look to a quick, comfy nap to boost energy and productivity.”
With so many Americans in agreement that naps make them feel more rejuvenated, why is it such a taboo idea in the workplace?
Being tired at work is a trope as old as time, and while 29 percent of Americans admit to dozing off at work, half (50 percent) agree that napping at work should be permitted. Even more (59 percent) say they’d actually be more productive at work if they could just take some time to sleep away the sluggish vibes.
And with 1:55 p.m. highlighted as the average time people claim to be at their most sleepy during the day, a quick post-lunch nap seems like the best idea for both employee and employer.
“At Lovesac, we believe in the power nap. It’s the best way to quickly reset and jump back into your busy life,” continued Nelson. “This is why we created the most comfortable seat on Earth…to give people a cozy spot to sneak in a quick nap session.”
THE CRAZIEST PLACES AMERICANS SAID THEY’VE SNUCK A NAP
• Abandoned part of a chemical plant
• Driver’s turret of an army M113A1 armored personnel transport
• On the toilet in a grocery store bathroom
• Standing up on the subway
• Inside an MRI machine
• Coal mine
• Tanning bed
• Potato barrel
• In a drive-thru, waiting for food
• On the floor of the bathroom at work
• In the trunk of a car
• On a ski lift going up the mountain
• On horseback
• On the lawn
• At a funeral
• While driving a mail truck
THE PERFECT NAP IS…
• During the day
• With a blanket
• Longer than 20 mins
• Dark room
• Cooler temperature
• One pillow
• After a meal/full stomach
• With a pet
• Feet elevated
• After exercise
TOP 10 MOST COMMON REASONS TO NEED A NAP
• Was up late the night before – 36%
• Have an illness (flu, cold, etc.) – 32%
• Tired after work – 30%
• No reason, had the time – 25%
• Accidentally fell asleep – 22%
• To feel more productive – 17%
• Post-meal nap – 15%
• Kids exhausting me – 13%
• Other reason – 11%
• Tired from exercising – 8%
