Celebrate: There’s a place where adults can nap during the day like toddlers

EVER been so knackered at work that you’d give anything for a quiet spot to sleep? A new place has opened up that offers 20-minute ‘naptime’ sessions.

HAVE YOU ever been at work and been so exhausted (or let’s face it, hung-over) that you would give anything for a quiet place to curl up and sleep?

Well the good news is there’s a new place in Sydney where you can do just that.

The Indigo Project, a freshly renovated space in Surry Hills, is running regular ‘nap time’ sessions where you can cough up $12 to rest your weary head for a 20-minute power nap.

Everyone knows that a powernap is restorative. Studies show that a short nap can help to improve mood, alertness and performance. According to science-y types, 20 minutes is the ideal length, as it won’t leave you feeling groggy and it won’t interfere with your night-time sleep.

So we went down to check it out because the concept of sleeping on the job appeals to our sensibilities.

The Indigo Project is the brainchild of Mary Hoang, a psychologist who has developed a space where people are encouraged to “get their sh*t together,” using various tools provided. These include yoga and meditation, psychology, workshops, courses, events and retreats (art therapy and life coaching are coming soon).

Mary and her colleagues were getting a little cramped at their old venue, so after hunting around for a new home they found the ideal space in Surry Hills in Sydney. It’s light and bright, which makes it the perfect urban oasis.

Our nap session is held in the yoga studio. Yoga mats are laid out with a cushion, blankets and eye masks. After taking off our shoes we settle in for the 10 minute guided meditation that gets us ready for sleep.

Sweet dreams.

I was unsure whether I’d be able to get to sleep in the middle of the day in a room full of strangers while flat on my back on a yoga mat but sure enough, halfway through the session I woke myself up by snoring. Classy.

At the end of the 20-minute nap you are woken by a gentle pressing on your shoulders (mine was more like a mini-massage, it was bloody excellent) and handed a cold sparkling water.

Afterwards you can have a cup of tea before getting on with your day.

Mary wakes up one of the participants.

The idea of nap time sessions were a no-brainer for Hoang.

“When I used to work in fashion retail ... we used to have some pretty big nights and all I wanted to do was sleep when I had my shift,” she recalls.

“I remember when people used to sleep in the storeroom ... Sometimes all you need is just that small sleep and you can’t sleep in the bathroom ... though I’m sure people have tried.”

She hopes the sessions will give weary city workers the chance to “pop in and freshen up”.

“Afterwards people can hang out on the rooftop, have a cup of tea and do a bit of work if they want, as there’s Wi-Fi up there”.

She sees The Indigo Project as a new type of community centre - something that doesn’t really exist at the moment.

“It’s been hard to define what we do,” she says.

“Yes we offer psychology and yoga but it’s more than that - I wanted to develop a place for people who care about themselves ... I just wanted to do something good for the community and provide a place for people to connect with others”.

The upstairs space at The Indigo Project.

“We’ve had events here where we’ve ended up here until midnight - after an evening session we had a little drink and a boogie ... it wasn’t a planned thing it was just how it played out. It’s a bit more flexible here ... we can let people hang around and enjoy the space, because it’s beautiful”.

The downstairs area at The Indigo Project is currently being used for artist’s residencies as well as fortnightly man cave sessions, described as “a unique men’s group for supporting and challenging each other with no filters and no bullsh*t”.

Another unique offering at this holistic hub is beats for breakfast ... a before work party that runs from 7am-9am where you can dance it out before grabbing a coffee and hitting the office.

So there you have it. Nap time sessions. What a genius concept. Toddlers at daycare have been reaping the benefits of them for years ... now adults can enjoy the same luxury.

It’s only fair.

Originally published as Celebrate: There’s a place where adults can nap during the day like toddlers