Taking a quick snooze at work can be good for you and your boss - If you were caught napping by National Napping Day this week you were probably asleep on the job.And that, according to the couple behind National Napping Day is not such a bad thing.

National Napping Day was dreamed up in the United States seven years ago by Boston University professor William Anthony and his wife Camille.

It falls on the first Monday after daylight saving in the US when Anthony says, "everyone is a little sleep deprived".

This week USA Today called up Anthony on National Napping Day and found him wide-awake.

USA Today asked, "Let's say, hypothetically, that you work in a newspaper office. In a bright room. In a cubicle you share with another guy. Where could someone in such a situation catch a nap?"

Anthony was alert to the question. "Well, a lot of people tell us they go out to the car. Others, unfortunately, use a bathroom stall. We call that stall napping. Some go to a room where they can lock the door.

"We heard from a guy who would sit back at his desk, holding his bottle of eye drops. If anybody came by and asked what he was doing, he'd wake up and say 'just putting in my drops'."

According to Anthony, there are several different types of naps, each with a specific purpose, which can be performed at the workplace or at home to boost productivity and improve a person's health.

He suggests taking the following naps during one's lunch break, or other approved work break, or anytime at home: 

• Preventative Nap: Prevents sleep deprivation, headaches and other ill health that can trigger losses in productivity.
• Preparatory Nap: Prepares people for long hours of responsibilities and allows for productiveness over an extended period of time.
• Pleasurable Nap: Take a nap just because it feels good.
• Problem Solving Nap: Helps people get their minds around tough problems. 
• Procrastination Nap: Take a nap before addressing an issue in hopes that the issue may take care of itself.

Four Points by Sheraton is the official sponsor of National Napping Day and has been working overtime to ensure that guests have a good night's sleep in its hotels. It has its Four Comfort Bed.

Westin has its Heavenly Bed and sister brand Sheraton its Sweet Sleeper Bed, while Ritz-Carlton promotes its Millennia Ultimate Bed. Westin will also offer your pooch the Heavenly Dog Bed. It comes with food and water bowls, floor mat, Dog-In-Room sign and a welcome kit

Yet it's not just in the workplace and hotel rooms where people are craving more sleep.

The BBC reported this week that more and more couples in the US are ordering separate master bedrooms in their new homes to help ensure a more harmonious marriage.

A survey by the National Association of Home Builders has predicted that by 2015, 60 per cent of custom-built homes will have two master bedroom suites.

The quest for better rest is behind the trend as experts say the lack of decent sleep can cause marital tension.

Family's expert, Stephanie Coontz, told the New York Times there were many couples "confident enough that they have a nice marriage, but they don't particularly like sleeping in the same room".

"I don't think it says anything about their sex lives," she said.

Nevertheless, some builders are calling the extra room a "flex suite" to avoid any embarrassment.

IAN JARRETT is based in Fremantle, Western Australia from where he travels frequently in Asia on assignments for travel magazines.

He is a member of the BamBoo Alliance, a group of leading travel writers in the region and writes for The Transit Cafe regularly www.thetransitcafe.com . He can be contacted at ianjarrett@mac.com