I tried UEA’s nap room

Gone are the sleepless days spent in the library, wishing it was socially acceptable to fall asleep at your desk. Say goodbye to people facedown on their keyboards and hello to a more productive work day.

Supposedly.

UEA recently installed a “napnook”, the first room of its kind on a university campus in the country, and I went along to see if a daytime snooze makes a difference.

Inspired by the innovative facility at the James Maddison University the room provides a safe place to quietly take a time out.

Already making a national appearance in the Telegraph, UEA’s Napnook is setting a precedent that other universities will soon be following.

Students are able to book 40 minute slots on any week day between 12 – 6pm. 40 minutes allows students to settle in and be able to have a power nap and this time restriction also ensures that people do not abuse the facilities.

A sign on the door aggressively says: “If you want more than a 30 minute nap, go home. We’re not a hotel.”

The Napnook encourages people to “recharge their batteries” in a healthy way, which in turn promotes better academia and student welfare.

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Studies show that getting the right about of sleep improves concentration levels and ultimately those who do not deprive themselves of sleep obtain better assessment grades.

The room is equipped with six napping stations with a variety of bean bags, mattresses and a sofa and eye masks are also provided and blue dimly lit fairy lights adorn the ceiling.

The temperature of the room allows comfort without sweating and a little radio provides white noise with the sound of the sea and the occasional tweeting bird.

And don’t worry, the room is large enough so you don’t have to sleep up close and personal with the person beside you.

Unfortunately, blankets are not provided, presumably for hygiene reasons but all the surfaces are wipeable for easy cleaning. As a bit of a clean freak myself, I felt that the cleanliness of the room would easily be maintained.

My only critique of this room would have to be the incessant monologue rehearsals by the drama students in the corridor right out side the room. Not very pleasant background noise.

Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed my 40 minute break to rest my eyes. Not only being allowed to nap, but actually being encouraged to do so – made it all the more lovely.