HOKKAIDO, Japan — Did that boring office meeting just drain all your energy? Plenty of workers wish they could grab a quick power nap on their lunch break. Now, a company is making it possible, creating office pods for tired workers to sleep in — standing up!
The Japanese company behind this invention says sleepy employees can pop into the vertical “Giraffenap” booths to catch 40 winks during the working day. They add that the pods offer a “refresh in just 20 minutes.”
Corporations could choose from two themes, “Near Future” and the more traditional “Japanese Style” booths. Inside the pods, the body is supported at four points: the head, buttocks, shins, and soles.
“By fixing these four points, it is possible to maintain a relaxed standing and sleeping posture no matter how weak you are,” the makers of Giraffenap explain, according to a statement from SWNS.
“In just 20 minutes, you will be refreshed and help improve your performance, such as recovering from fatigue, reducing stress, restoring memory and concentration, and improving creativity,” the company continues.
“As a new way to take a break, we will provide a space where you can take a nap while standing in the office, etc., contributing to the health promotion and performance improvement of employees.”
Giraffenap makers say they have applied scientific research to their creation to work out what level of sleep is conducive to workers continuing their tasks after a nap.
“Through joint research with Hokkaido University and Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University, when sleeping while standing, it reaches sleep stage 2 (a sleep state that allows you to breathe lightly),” the team says according to SWNS.
“It has been demonstrated to remain in sleep stage 2 for over 30 minutes. You can feel the effect of a nap and not sleep too much, so you can quickly return to work without feeling dizzy.”
South West News Service writer Dean Murray contributed to this report.
