Better than coffee, workplace nap rooms let employees recharge

When Brooks Bell moved her namesake web development company to a space on Hillsborough Street, she decided to build her dream office.

“I wanted a bar. I wanted to have a brainstorm room, and I wanted to have a nap room,” she said.

The nap room at Brooks Bell is a cool, dark, quiet place where employees can come in, use the pull-out sofa and get a half-hour of shut eye. Every employee also has a locker to stash a change of clothes or other personal items.

The employees love it.

“You need a place to come and get away from it all and problem-solve,” Mike Adams said.

“Are you kidding me? This is the greatest thing ever,” added Jenni Bruckman.

Employees say the afternoon recharge helps.

“You may be stuck on a problem or have trouble thinking of a creative solution,” Bruckman said, “Sometimes, you just need to take that moment away.”

Bell says the workplace nap room is an idea whose time has come because the daily 9-to-6 grind just isn’t natural. A nap improves everyone’s productivity and creativity, she said.

Bell said embracing the afternoon nap at work is a simple way to get more done and be happier doing it.

“When I wake up, I get three or four hours of clear work,” she said. “Clarity. I can think again.”