Studies clearly indicate that people are more sleep-deprived than ever before. When not at work, we’re running errands, socializing, and exercising. The truth is, we could all use a nap. Did you know JFK and Winston Churchill both curled up most afternoons? Even Napoleon Bonaparte and Thomas Edison made time in their busy lives for a midday slumber. Well-rested people are more productive at work, but naptime conflicts with the demands of the modern world.
Curling up in your cube may seem like a crazy notion, but what if there were fuzzy slippers on your feet and a cozy throw spread across your lap? You could discover comfort nirvana in an otherwise hectic day. Midnight blue walls covered with stars invite rest, and after the yawns subside, you’ll revel in your role as the most lucid thinker in the room. Perhaps even the executives will add a resting cot to their corner offices once they witness the transformative power of a nap.
WALLS
• Glitter, glitter, and more glitter! The walls shown on page 31 are very simple to create and are all about the adornment. Cut midnight blue corrugated paper to fit the walls and secure them with Velcro or straight pins around the edges. Hang silver glitter stars randomly all over the available wall space to create a starry sky.
• Trim the top perimeter of the wall with cotton batting, attaching it hot glue, but take care not to burn your hand, as the glue could seep through the batting. (For tips on working with hot glue, see page 5.) Pluck the surface of the batting to create a cloudlike look.
• Cover shelves with silver vinyl, securing the vinyl to the surface with hot glue. (For tips on working with vinyl, see page 5.) Then, trim the edges with the fluffy cotton batting.
DESK
• Cover the top surface of the desk with silver vinyl. Cut the vinyl to fit (leaving extra material to secure underneath), pull tight, and secure it underneath the desk with duct tape. If there are areas of vinyl that pull away from the desk around the perimeter, secure it with double-sided tape or hot glue for a clean finish.
• Using flat-head tacks, secure a length of white tulle to the perimeter of the desk to create a sleep curtain that will dim the bright lights of your office. Add a second layer of tulle for a fuller curtain.
• To trim the perimeter of the desk, place a strip of cotton batting over the flat-head tacks and secure with hot glue.
DÉCOR
• No nap space is complete without a comfy bed. Purchase a foam mattress 6 inches (15 cm) thick and cut it with scissors to fit the space underneath your desk. Add some flannel sheets, a comfy blanket, and a pillow or two, and you have the perfect spot for a fifteen-minute catnap.
• Cereal is a good meal at any time of the day, but even better when you eat it with flair. Purchase a cereal dispenser, and with a turn of your wrist your favorite cereal comes tumbling out. Keep a ceramic milk carton on hand for decoration-it can stay in your cube forever, minus the milk, without having to be tossed.
• A cluster of charming vintage alarm clocks ensures you don’t miss that important meeting after your nap.
• A night-light adds a soft glow, mellowing the fluorescent lighting that most cube-dwellers endure every day.
• In addition to your trade magazines, policies, and manuals, keep some of your favorite books and magazines on hand for pre-slumber reads.
• Invite guests to join your slumber. They can snuggle in an oversized chair with lush pillows and a throw, and make themselves at home.
• Keep a pair of comfortable slippers, an eye mask, and ear plugs nearby to put you in a tranquil state of mind.
• Create your own relaxing lavender spray with a small atomizer, distilled water, and lavender essential oil. Fill the atomizer with water and add five drops of essential oil to create a soothing aroma in your cube.
• Tune in to your favorite classical radio station to alleviate your stress with calming music.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I’m glad to on these types of products. I prefer a organic way of living for my whole families benefit.