Sleep Your Way to the Top?

by Maria F. Aldana — April 4, 2008

Corporate offices around the world are starting to incorporate napping into their day. Studies have shown that power naps are more effective than caffeine and energy drinks. A NASA study showed that a nap of just 26 minutes can boost performance by as much as 34 percent. Napping is starting to be a healthy trend and a perk at the workplace. William A. Anthony, Ph.D., and Camille W. Anthony, M.Ed, authors of The Art of Napping at Work,state, "Workplace napping is a natural, no-cost way to increase worker productivity."

Like to book a reservation for a nap? Here is a list of companies that are taking part in this seems-too-good-to-be-true concept:

• Nike
• British Airways
• Deloitte and Touche
• Lowney and Associates
• 42IS
• Washington Mutual
• Yarde Metals Inc.

Some of the nap rooms are also known as "relaxation rooms" and quiet rooms. "When employees start, we make sure they know the nap room is available," says Cory Levenberg, president of 42IS, a computer consulting firm in Berkeley, CA. Skip the coffee break and grab a few zzzzs.