Sloom says that if you've ever been tempted to sneak a nap in your car at lunchtime and you need a fun excuse to catch some shut-eye, the answer might lie in a brand-new bot.

Globally, an estimated 32.8% of adults don't get enough sleep, and South Africans are among the world's most sleep-deprived populations, consistently going to bed later and waking up earlier than any other nation. The gruelling, long hours we spend at work don't help either and workplace burnout keeps rising, adds Sloom. 

The WhatsApp bot — which is turning heads and raising eyebrows — provides legitimate-sounding excuses in four languages, allowing users to sneak in a much-needed power nap during their day. Sloom says that users simply message "I need a nap" to the 'NapBot', and they receive a fun voice note excuse in their choice of English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, or isiXhosa. These carefully crafted messages can be played directly to supervisors or forwarded via WhatsApp as proof that they need to step out, providing a clever cover for a rejuvenating nap break.

"When we discovered the extent of sleep deprivation in South Africa, we knew we had to think outside the box," says Rudo Kemp, Founder and CEO of Sloom. "The 'NapBot' might seem playful, but it addresses a serious health crisis. We're essentially giving people a fun way to take the refreshing rest they desperately need."

Sleep coach Barry Bridges — who has worked with athletes, business executives, DJs and music producers around the world — says a nap will give you a boost when you hit that inevitable slump during the day. "Some people try to use naps to catch up on sleep, which you can't really do, but naps can help your brain recover throughout the day, which is really important."

In addition, Bridges says that we naturally need a sleep in the afternoon, and might feel lethargic, so a quick nap between 13:00 and 15:00 can make a huge difference to your ability to power through the afternoon.

But Sloom isn't just providing excuses — they're backing up their commitment to better sleep. Every 'NapBot' user receives a R1 000 coupon code for a Sloom mattress. Their modular mattress also comes with a 100-night trial, which allows sleepers to test the modular comfort at home, risk-free, Sloom adds.

"Sleep deprivation isn't just about feeling tired — it's affecting our nation's productivity, mental health and overall well-being," Kemp adds. "While the 'NapBot' adds a light-hearted twist to a serious issue, our ultimate goal is to spark a national conversation about the importance of quality sleep."

Sloom concludes that the initiative represents a move to addressing South Africa's sleep deficit, combining social awareness with practical solutions. Whether it leads to more South Africans taking power naps or simply highlights the importance of proper rest, Sloom's 'NapBot' is already making waves in the fight against sleep deprivation.

To try the 'NapBot', individuals are encouraged to WhatsApp "I need a nap" to 087 073 6676 to receive a first excuse voice note.

For more information, visit www.sloom.co.za. You can also follow Sloom on Facebook or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor