What’s a Napping Pillow and Why You Need One for the Perfect Nap

Catching a short midday snooze isn't just a chance to kick back and relax. Why we nap and how it affects our bodies is backed by science. When we do, our bodies go through the lighter sleep stages, each with benefits.

When you nap you typically enter stages 1 and 2 of sleep, according to Sleep Foundation⁽¹⁾. Snoozers often don’t reach stage 3 or REM sleep. Otherwise, waking up can be difficult, leaving you feeling groggy.      

Stage 1 is when you’re falling asleep. Your heartbeat and breathing begin to slow. And your muscles start to relax. This stage lasts just a couple of minutes.

When you enter stage 2, your breathing and heartbeat slow down even more. And you experience less eye movement. This stage has a duration of about 25 minutes, according to Healthline⁽²⁾.

Some benefits of napping include:

• An immune system boost

• Improved mood

• Sharpens your focus and memory

• Boosts creative thinking

• Lowers stress

It's essential to reach these 2 sleep stages to reap nap benefits. And that can be hard if you’re napping on your office desk or in an airport lounge. And that’s where the right napping pillow comes in handy.

It’s time to move on to the answer to your question: “What’s a napping pillow?”

First, here’s what it isn’t: the average pillow on your bed, sofa or floor.

A napping pillow is comfy, portable, and lightweight, and has a unique shape. It has a unique pillow design where it works as a cushion that supports your head and neck. And it’s perfect for when you need to nap, like at the office or when you travel.

And while it may be new to some, using a napping pillow has become common. This is unsurprising considering the rise of hustle culture and its adverse effects on overall health and well-being. Thankfully, many have embraced naps as a way to stay healthy. (And if you haven’t yet, so should you!)

A napping pillow can do wonders for your snooze quality. It gives you the necessary support and comfort. You’ll wake up feeling refreshed

minus the aches and pains.

The fact that it’s portable means you can take it anywhere with you. Think of it as your personal nap sanctuary. It's designed for power naps anytime the mood strikes you.

A napping pillow can help you catch efficient and comfy zzzs. That way, you reap all the benefits of a solid nap.

Different Types of Napping Pillows

Now let’s move on to the kinds of napping pillows. Each is designed to suit different needs and preferences.

• An office napping pillow for use on desks — This pillow cradles your head and neck, giving an almost weightless feeling.

• A napping pillow for travelers — This kind of pillow gives your neck adequate support, so you can snooze sitting up. For instance, Manta Travel Pillow configures into 4 different positions, all of which provide good head and neck support.

• One that envelops your neck and head — There are cocoon-like pillows designed to block out noise and light while you nap in comfort.

Highlighting Manta Travel Pillow

All it takes is 2 breaths to inflate Manta Travel Pillow. Use it in 4 ways: The Lock, The Hug, The Nod and The Cradle.

How to Choose Your Napping Pillow

Consider your individual needs and preferences when choosing a napping pillow. Think about what pillow shape and size best supports your neck and head. This also comes into play regarding how portable you need it to be.  

The fabric should also be a top consideration. It should be soft and comfy. It's essential to take note of the materials to prevent allergies. And of course, it should be easy to clean. Look for a napping pillow that’s machine-washable.

Finally, think about where you’re going to be using it most. If you nap in an area with bright lights, a cocoon-like pillow blacks out light and noise. A travel pillow is your best bet if you’re always on the go. And if you nap at your desk, consider a napping pillow designed specifically for this.

Not everybody is used to sleeping with their head and neck entirely enveloped by a cocoon-like pillow. If you’re worried about bright lights and loud noises, you can also use an excellent sleep mask, earplugs, and travel or arc-shaped napping pillows.

Napping at the Office

Now that you know what a napping pillow is and how to choose one, it’s time to talk about one of the most challenging places to catch some zzzs: work.

Snoozing at home is easy, but office naps are sometimes nearly impossible. Not many businesses have caught on to the importance of napping for productivity (and they should). You might try suggesting a dedicated nap time and area to your boss. (Even Google's CEO approves of napping.)

However, if your workplace doesn’t have an office sleep pod or a dedicated snooze space, it’s still possible to catch 40 winks. And this section will tackle what you need to know about taking a nap at work. Let’s get started.

Is It Okay to Take a Nap in the Office?

As we mentioned earlier, not all businesses have facilities for napping. However, there’s nothing wrong with napping at your desk during your lunch break. (It might be wise to check with your supervisor beforehand.)

If snoozing at the office is a no-no, take a quick nap in your vehicle. Remember to crank open a window for ventilation and park in a safe area. Use our travel pillow, an excellent light-blocking eye mask or other car sleeping accessories to keep things comfy.

How to Make Sleeping at a Desk More Comfortable

We know that sleeping at a desk isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world (whether in the conference room, cubicle, or, heaven forbid, the supply room). The typical desk napping position can be tough on your neck and arms. The great thing is there are many office napping solutions available.

We already mentioned earlier how an office nap pillow for your desk can do wonders. Pair it with noise-canceling headphones or a white noise machine to block out office chatter. Slip on a sleep mask to keep the glare of office lights at bay. Think of them as your nap helpers.

Are Naps Good or Bad for Productivity?

The short of it? Yep, they are — provided you snooze correctly. (We’ll talk about this more in a bit.)

We mentioned this earlier, but we’ll say it again: Napping improves concentration, focus and memory recall. Believe it or not, it also boosts your creativity. So, if you’ve got a challenging task at work, snoozing beforehand will help you think clearly (maybe even out of the box). Plus, you’ll get an energy boost when you need it most.

Napping can also improve your mood. If you have anxiety, do some relaxation techniques like meditation or gentle stretches before snoozing.

We’re pretty sure you (and your boss) will see an improved performance thanks to workplace napping.

How to Take a Nap at Work

Apart from using a desk napping pillow and other nap accessories, snoozing correctly has much to do with duration.

You’ll want to take a power nap, which is 20 to 30 minutes tops. Too long, and you’ll end up feeling groggy and disoriented. So, set an alarm but turn your phone on to do not disturb mode. Tell colleagues that you’re about to head to dreamland so they keep it down (and if not, there are always nap gadgets like noise-canceling headphones).

There’s also such a thing as a caffeine nap, where you drink coffee right before a nap. You’ll wake up with an extra surge of energy. Are you curious to know more about this type of snooze? Read our blog post on coffee naps.)

Oh, and here's a piece of advice: Nap at the same time every day. This regulates your body's sleep cycle. Napping too close to bedtime can mess with your nighttime sleep.

Conclusion

We hope this article answered your question: “What’s a napping pillow?” As you now know, it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re serious about napping to improve your productivity and overall health.  

Let us know which napping pillow works for you by commenting below.

Sources:  

(1) “Napping: Benefits and Tips” Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/napping. Accessed 11 August 2023.

(2) “Everything to Know About the Stages of Sleep” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/stages-of-sleep. Accessed 14 August 2023.