Sleeping on the desk (the most comfortable and simple method)

Question

During school I have a 2 hour break in between lessons.

I try to take a 30 min power nap in the library.

The problem is, sleeping with the desk is not very comfortable for me. I am 1.8 m tall and I have to bend my back significantly to rest my head.

My current method of napping on the desk is as follows (I'll try my best even though it is hard to explain in words): Fold my arms, such that my left hand is under my right elbow, and my right hand is above my left elbow. Tilt my face to the right, and lie on my right hand. After some time, I do the mirror-image shift from left to right (unfold hands and fold again in the other way, rest my head on the left).

The uncomfort arises mainly from pressure on the hand (blood flow impeded and arms may feel numb), and also the fact that my head is resting on a relatively hard object, namely my hand.

Is there any technique that can be recommended to sleep on the desk? In a sense this improves my productivity as I do function more efficiently after a nap.

Sincere thanks for any help!

Answer 1

Sleeping on your arms is not the best method because this can damage the nerve in the arm. The most common being radial nerve dysfunction [1].

Since you are in a library, a better solution is to augment the height of the desk with a pile of books so that you can "hug" around the book pillar while resting your head on top of the books. To avoid having the book cover imprinted onto your face, you can fold up your jacket/spare t-shirt/gym towel and toss it on top of the books.

If there is a couch or armchair in the library somewhere, it'd still be a more superior solution. It can take up to 50% more time to fall asleep if you're sitting.

1. Radial nerve dysfunction
2. How to nap

Answer 2

Get a pillow? Learn to use a neck pillow and nap sitting up?

I'm taller than you and don't have the same issues with regards to circulation or feeling hunched-over.

I also rest my head on my bicep/forearm, because they're softer than bones.

Answer 3

One of my officemates has his post lunch nap at his desk in this fashion... (Credit to PhD comics)...and actually that's the position I would nap in to... (more supporting chair)

Answer 4

If you're tall, couldn't you just move the chair back further so you won't have to bend as much?

I normally don't even nap on the desk; I just lean against the chair. You don't even need 30 minutes (which IMO is too long and becomes counter productive). I find that 3 minutes suffices.. by the time I start losing balance from the chair, it's enough for my head to clear.