News Corporate Japan discovers the power nap

[thomas]

Snooze time during work hours is seen as increasing productivity: Japanese companies have woken up to the rising trend of power naps, offering new gadgets that help employees catch some shut-eye during the day to increase productivity.

EnergyPod by Commotize​

One company will launch a box-like device where users can nap while standing up, a real space-saver for crowded offices. Another says its design can help reduce muscle stress for a more comfortable snooze.[/CENTER]

Koyoju Plywood, which operates a wide range of businesses including sales of plywood, has developed Giraffenap, a small enclosure in which a user can nap while standing. The Hokkaido-based company says Giraffenap supports the user's head, shins and soles for a more restful respite. Working with researchers from Hokkaido University and other partners, the company proved that the device can keep users in a light state of sleep for at least 30 minutes. Because it prevents users from falling into a deep sleep, workers can quickly return to duty after awakening, according to Koyoju Plywood. The company says the device will mostly be used for 15- to 20-minute naps to reduce fatigue and stress.

Energypod:

How to energypod | Comotize

エナジーポッドの使い方をステップでご紹介します。パワーナッププログラムがスムーズに始められます。

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Giraffenap by Koyoju Plywood​

Giraffenap:

giraffenap(ジラフナップ) | 立ったまま寝る仮眠ボックス

立ち寝仮眠ボックス「giraffenap(ジラフナップ)」の公式サイトです。眠気や疲労を我慢し仕事を続ける働き方から、積極的に仮眠を取ることで高いパフォーマンスで仕事に取り組む働き方へ。心と身体を大切にしながら働く社会の実現を提案します。

g-nap.com

EnergyPod is designed specifically for short 20-minute naps, which can increase cognitive ability and attention, and comes with headphones to play relaxing music. The dome-shaped area creates a semiprivate space around the upper body to facilitate sleep. The mattress begins to vibrate gently before the end of each 20-minute session to arouse sleepers from their slumber. E-office usage costs 600 yen per hour, while each EnergyPod session costs 1,500 yen, with discounts offered to E-office users.

Paywall alert:

Japan companies awakening to growing power nap trend

Snooze time during work hours seen as increasing productivity

asia.nikkei.com

Nothing beats my sofa.

 

[Petaris]

How about they just start letting employees leave when their actual shift/end of day occurs? Then maybe they won't need to nap during the day?
I mean, just an idea....

 

[mdchachi]

How about they just start letting employees leave when their actual shift/end of day occurs? Then maybe they won't need to nap during the day?
I mean, just an idea....

That doesn't help with midday hangovers..

 

[johnnyG]

Set up meetings right after lunch--that would dovetail with the common practice of pretend napping during meetings.

People could really nap, instead of just nemuta-furi (眠たふり).

 

[thomas]

Here's the reaction of some YouTubers and TikTok users on the standing sleeping pods: "Only in Japan would you get a solution for a problem that doesn't exist."

In August, a cafe in Tokyo began offering customers an unusual way to power nap — standing sleeping pods. From August 22 to September 17, a Nescafe outlet in Harajuku charged 825 yen, or around $5.50, for a 30-minute standing nap in the pod and a cup of coffee. The promotional offer prompted confused reviews from YouTubers and TikTok who visited the cafe.

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