Photos By Michiro Kato
Have you ever felt so tired you could sleep standing up? Well now you can. At least in Japan. Koyoju Plywood Corporation created the Giraffenap, “a nap box that allows you to take a rest while standing when you feel tired or sleepy,” according to a company news release.
About the size of a phone booth, it allows workers to nap in a standing position with supports for the head, buttocks, shins and soles. By fixing these four points, the company says it is possible to maintain a relaxed standing and sleeping posture. It calls it Giraffenap because giraffes sleep standing up.
Giraffenap can be installed in offices. A demonstration pod was installed in the Nescafé Harajuku for a month and workers and students were invited to take 20-minute power naps. The soundproof booths come in two designs: the futuristic “spacia” and the rustic “forest.” They’re equipped with a smoke detector, ventilation fan and ceiling and floor LED lighting. Giraffenap can accommodate nappers up to 6½ feet tall who weigh no more than 220 pounds.
According to the company, a study by NASA reported that pilots who took a 26-minute nap experienced a 34% improvement in performance and alertness and a 16% improvement in reaction time. However, anything more than 30 minutes and your body will go into a deeper sleep and make it harder to wake up.
Visit g-nap.com/en/