Living life as a “girl just trying to make it” means that I am constantly tired. Between my jobs, three hours a day of round trip of commuting and attempting to have a social life, I have come to truly perfect the art of a power nap. And I can do it just about anywhere. Here’s what I mean by a power nap — a simple, no frills, 20 minute session of closing your eyes and tuning out the world to recharge just long enough to push off the ground for your next round of tasks or engagements. What I don’t mean is that dead-to-the-world Sunday afternoon drool fest that some folk indulge in — that’s got to happen at home, buddy.
Because I know I’m not the only one that finds themselves frequently in need of a nap despite being at least an hour from home, I’ve put together some notes on how and where to nap in the San Francisco Bay Area.
BART
About 50 minutes of my morning commute is spent on BART. If you live as far out as I do, one of the small saving graces is that you’ve probably wrangled a seat and can conk out for a few extra minutes. It’s like getting a super delayed snooze from your alarm.
If you’re feeling like you can own the neck pillow look, by all means, get down with your sleepy self.
Sleeping on BART has some rules. Don’t be that guy that sprawls across two seats — I know you’re tired but so are the rest of us, and that little old lady or the pregnant woman next to her sure could use a rest in the spot where your legs are kicked up. You’re also not going to want to fall asleep too close to the doors. The last thing you want is to wake up to sumbitch pulling your phone out of your hands and then leaping back off the train as the doors close, disappearing off into the sunrise.
BART naps are best accomplished if you can lean against a window, plug your headphones in and snuggle your backpack. This way if your head leans forward during your dozing it’ll hit your bag and not the seat in front of you. I have a buddy who’s recently taken the plunge and brought along a neck pillow for his daily commute. If you’re feeling like you can own the neck pillow look, by all means, get down with your sleepy self.
You’ll of course want to attempt napping when the park doesn’t have live events — otherwise you’ll be trying to nap through bluegrass music or a live make-up showcase complete with EDM and stomping models. It makes for some funky dreams.
Parks
For those who prefer a non-mobile napping spot, just about any patch of grass can serve as a sweet little nook for some snoozing. Obviously, the experience is enhanced if you can drop down in a proper park. I’m personally a fan of Yerba Buena. There are trees and a waterfall for ambient noise. You’ll of course want to attempt napping when the park doesn’t have live events — otherwise you’ll be trying to nap through bluegrass music or a live make-up showcase complete with EDM and stomping models. It makes for some funky dreams.
If you’re a park napper, make sure you have a jacket with you. You’re probably already in the habit of carrying one at all times, because Bay Area microclimates are nothing to fuck with. A good hoodie can serve a professional napper well — it works as shelter from shifting sun rays, warmth from a chilly breeze or even as a makeshift pillow.
In Line at the Grocery Store
Who knew that holding a bag of dog food in line at the grocery store could lead to a fantastic impromptu snooze? Simply pick the line with the mom buying 16 twelve packs of gatorade and wait for the cashier to ask who all the gatorade is for. While she talks about her son’s soccer team, lean your face into that kibbly goodness and just close your eyes for a minute. Surprising no one, proud moms in grocery stores make for incredible white noise.
Don’t have a dog? Hate soccer moms? Cat food at the drug store can offer a similar setup if you’re desperate but something about that bag of Kitty Nom Noms (not a real brand, calm down) just might not do it for you personally.
Surprising no one, proud moms in grocery stores make for incredible white noise.
The Utility Closet at Work
I would like to take a moment to clarify, for the good of my 9–5 employment, that I have never nor will I ever nap in the office utility closet. But just think about it. It’s dark. No one opens that closet during the day. It’s quiet. It’s out of the way. And it might just have the perfect combination of cool air and trickling faucet water to lull you into a slumber. And you’re guaranteed a wake up call when 6 pm rolls around and the evening cleaning guy shows up.
You get bonus points if you figure out how to drape yourself over the mop handle for stability.
Airports
Okay, this last one might not apply as broadly as the others because maybe you’re the type of person who doesn’t have to take BART to the airport. In which case, you’re catching a ride share at an appropriate hour, moseying through security as it pleases you, snagging a cup of coffee and lounging at the gate for a few minutes before boarding. Maybe you even have someone who loves you enough to actually drop you off at the airport. God bless you, my friend, you are leading the type of life we all aspire to.
Maybe you even have someone who loves you enough to actually drop you off at the airport. God bless you, my friend, you are leading the type of life we all aspire to.
The rest of us are BART-ing to the airport, just like we BART everywhere else. It’s better to be early than miss a flight, which means you might have time for some good old fashioned airport napping. The trick is to find a gate that has the type of seats without armrests between each one. When you’re awake, these armrests are necessary for keeping the middle-aged business man from man-spreading all over you and your Kindle. But when you want to nap they’re a hindrance. Find the type of seating that doesn’t have armrests, get at least three in a row, hook your outside arm through the handle of your carry on, scrunch that hoody up tight under your head and conk out. It may help to indulge in a little drooling to keep anyone from trying to disturb you.
Whatever you do, don’t plug in your headphones for this kind of napping — remember, you’re power napping cause you’re “just trying to make it” and that includes making your flight.
