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Who sleeps for a full eight hours? Not the average desk job worker. So how can one keep his energy levels up all day when he is sleep-deprived? It’s simple: Power Nap! Gone are the days when nappers are considered lazy. Now, even the not-so-cool bosses are chill with their employees taking a nap at work. Why? Read on, and you’ll know it!
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Type | Material | Best for | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desk nap / neck pillow | Memory foam | Napping face-down at a desk | Machine-washable cover |
| 2 | Sleep mask | Memory foam | Travel, naps, night shifts | Hand wash |
| 3 | Convertible chair / bed | Polyfoam, chenille cover | Office break rooms or home | Machine-washable cover |
✓ yes · ✗ no · – not confirmed · Specs as stated on the Amazon listing or by the maker · Not a treatment for any condition
The Costs Of Sleep Loss
Besides making you grumpy and foggy, regularly missing sleep can affect your health over time.[1] Let’s go over the effects of sleep deprivation in detail.- Slows your brain down: Lack of sleep affects your brain’s normal functioning. This, in turn, impairs cognition, reasoning, alertness, and attention.
- Looking and feeling tired: Ongoing poor sleep can show in your skin and energy levels.
- Weight gain: Short sleep has been linked to a higher risk of weight gain.
- Reduces immunity: Lack of enough sleep affects the body’s defense mechanism. Long-term sleep loss is also linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. If you often feel sleepy during the day, talk to a doctor.[1]
- Increased accident risk: Drowsiness is one of the major reasons for road and work accidents.
Top 5 Benefits Of Power Napping At Work
For adults, a daytime nap of 20 minutes or less is usually best.[2] Here’s what you need to know about power napping benefits.- Boosts Productivity: When your eyes are droopy-sleepy, you cannot give 100% at work. Take a power nap, and then resume your work. Because a quick nap can restore mental alertness, boost performance, and reduce the chances of manual errors at work. A NASA study of long-haul airline pilots also found that a short planned rest improved alertness and performance. A brief nap can raise alertness for a couple of hours.[3]
- Provides a memory boost: You will stumble upon many complex tasks that will cause memory overload at work. That’s when the power nap steps in. Some studies suggest a short nap can help with memory.
- Enhances creativity: A daytime nap can also increase your sensory perception, creative thinking, and cognitive processing. Many people find they think more clearly after a short rest.
- Improves mood: A short nap can leave you feeling less irritable. If you feel low or anxious most days, talk to a doctor.
- A helper, not a substitute: The benefits of napping extend well beyond memory, mood, and creativity. Naps are a temporary aid, not a replacement for a full night’s sleep.[3]
Tricks To Squeeze In A Power Nap At Work
For a ‘fruitful’ power nap, try these tips. You’ll feel energized and more productive.- Keep it short: Aim for about 20 minutes and set an alarm. Waking before deep sleep makes grogginess less likely.[3]
- Siesta time is the best: Many people feel a dip in alertness in the early afternoon, so that’s a good time to nap. If naps make it hard to fall asleep at night, nap earlier or less.[2]
- Napping location: Your desk wouldn’t be the ideal place if you worked in an office with lots of bays. Perhaps you may have a nap area in the office (some offices have one); you could nap in a quiet space or in your car.
- Use a nap prop: A neck pillow, an eye mask, cozy socks, or music on your headphones may help you doze off faster.
- Nap Pods: Some companies, such as Google, have offered nap pods to employees.
Reviews: Top 2 Mattresses For Office Use
If your office culture doesn’t frown upon a power nap, here are our favorite picks that might suit your napping needs. We hope you love the products we recommend!1
- An H-shaped memory foam pillow for napping face-down at your desk.
- The hollow design lets you slide your arms underneath.
- It also works as a travel neck pillow.
- The cover zips off and is machine washable.
2
- A contoured sleep mask with deep eye cups that don’t press on your eyes.
- Nose padding helps block light.
- Thin sides suit side sleepers.
- The strap adjusts from 19 to 28 inches.
3
- A foam-filled bean bag chair that converts into a full-size bed.
- Remove the cover and flip the cushion to make a bed.
- The microfiber cover is washer and dryer safe.
- Stock is limited.
Index Table: Top Rated Mattresses To Nap At Work
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Ant H-Shape Pillow - Memory Foam Desk Nap and Neck Pillow |  |
| Big Ant |
| 2 | MZOO Sleep Mask - Contoured Light Blocking Sleep Mask |  |
| MZOO |
| 3 | CordaRoy's Chenille Bean Bag - Convertible Bean Bag Chair to Bed |  |
| CordaRoy's |
Sources
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH). What Is Insomnia?. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH). Healthy Sleep Habits. Accessed October 15, 2026.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC). Napping, an Important Fatigue Countermeasure: Nap Duration. Accessed October 15, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Product picks reviewed and updated; added a Key Specs table; added Sources (NHLBI, CDC)
- Feb 2022: Added CordaRoy’s Chenille Bean Bag Bed
- Apr 2019: First published
