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It was Friday and we were beat. Rather than fight off sleep with Mocha Lattes or brisk walks, Mangesh and I decided to go the other direction. But we were in Starbucks, and falling asleep in Starbucks means waking up robbed. There’s only one place we could nap and not look homeless. A trip to the Empire State Building was in order.
This wasn’t a sightseeing venture, a point the aggressive area tour guides refused to accept. No, we came seeking rest.
Up on the 22nd floor is MetroNaps. Let me let their sign explain:
After some enjoyable banter with the MetroNaps staff, we each crawled into an EnergyPod, a napping vessel shaped like an oversized football helmet. Soothing music calmed the nerves brought on by public sleeping.
Our alarms were set for 20 minutes. That’s what you get for $14. You could buy a monthly membership for $65 and nap whenever you want. If you worked nights, you could probably live there.
I didn’t actually fall asleep. The only job on which I’ve successfully slept was a summer gig in a school warehouse. But that’s another story. When my twenty minutes were up, I admit to feeling re-energized. Never mind that it looks like I’m being cooked. (Those lights aren’t on during the napping portion.)
We followed up our naps with our Friday brainstorming meeting. Though no longer tired, sleep was on the brain. So we decided to go with a series of posts on sleep. Stay tuned for ‘Five Disorders That Make For Scary Slumbering’ and ‘Famous Narcoleptics.’ Ransom has already asked and answered this question: ‘Should You Wake A Sleepwalker?’
And if you’re hoping to convince your boss that sleeping on the job is the key to productivity, here are 10 Benefits Of Power Napping, And How To Do It.
Sweet dreams.
I seriously don’t even know what to say to this - I mean, I guess due to an episode of Baby Blues a couple of years ago, where they start up a napping business, I have pondered this idea, however I didn’t think that something like this would ever come to fruition! I still just nap at my desk (easier to get away with when you’re just an intern) whenever I have downtime or it’s really warm in the office.
posted by Lindsay D on 9-19-2007 at 6:51 am
I try and have a 15 miniute nap daily during my lunch break after eating lunch. It really helps me through the day!
posted by julie on 9-19-2007 at 6:59 am
You gotta be kidding me! This is a joke, right? Do you really expect me to believe that New Yorkers are so foolish as to pay someone to let them nap on their couch for 20 minutes?
Very funny, guys. Now tell me the one about the bar for people that don’t drink…
posted by Michael on 9-19-2007 at 7:28 am
Ooooh, Michael - you just reminded me! The other day, I was eating lunch with a bunch of maintenance guys, and they were talking about a juice bar, about which I became very excited (being a non-drinker) and told them I thought was a great idea…why would the city trying to be blocking it? Well, yeah, turns out a juice bar, is not exactly a bar that serves juice…
posted by Lindsay D on 9-19-2007 at 7:47 am
What is a juice bar, then?
posted by Jason on 9-19-2007 at 8:04 am
Truck stops have cots for drivers who need a comfortable nap (and showers). It makes sense to rent a safe place to lay down for people who are away from home. But of course, in New York its going to be way more expensive.
posted by Miss Cellania on 9-19-2007 at 8:05 am
Napping has long been considered beneficial in many cultures(think south of the border) but for some reason we equate day sleeping with laziness. For shame!!! Napping should be a national institution!! Nap More!!
If you take a nap of no more than 30 minutes you will feel better!!
posted by Daryl C. on 9-19-2007 at 8:07 am
Jason, you don’t know either? Ok, I feel a little bit better now. I’m not for sure on this because I didn’t really want to ask, but from the conversation the maintenance guys were having…it’s a strip club. Although, the term “juice bar” may only refer to a strip club in Iowa…or maybe it’s just the term that the maintenance guys here use…another code name for a strip club that they use here - Menards. I learned that one the hard way - a guy said he was going to go to Menards, and I asked if I could come along with (it’s about an hour away from our town) because I wanted to pick some stuff up…and everyone just started laughing at me because I had essentially just asked to come along to the strip club. I’ve learned to not ask questions when I don’t quite understand the lingo here.
posted by Lindsay D on 9-19-2007 at 8:32 am
Hi All,
A juice bar is a strip club where the dancers are completely nude. Most states have laws against serving alcohol in places where the dancers completely nude - hence, a juice bar. Put a tiny thong on the dancers though and serve all the alcohol you want. :)
posted by Shannon on 9-19-2007 at 8:47 am
Oooooooooooooooooooh
posted by Lindsay D on 9-19-2007 at 8:53 am
I’m with Julie — take a nap mid-day (during your lunch break?) and you will be refreshed!
I was able to take a short nap on a previous job (silly — in my car during my lunch), but that hasn’t happened recently. Too bad. I miss it. And my blankee…. LOL
Awhile back, there was a report (must have been true, it was on CNN/Headline, some office types were napping under their desks for 20 minutes or so. All part of the program at whatever office it was.
I think this should be part of any health plan proposed by the candidates. Required naps. And graham crackers too!
posted by WizardBoy on 9-19-2007 at 9:10 am
Seems kind of bizzare. Since it appears in most places these days, they expect you to work 24×7. The idea of being able to take a nap seems so quaint (and human). Maybe that’s why these places are needed. Just put a one hour meeting on your calendar with Mr. Essman (Sandman) and head of to MetroNaps!
posted by Stew on 9-19-2007 at 10:37 am