Naptime.
Wouldn’t you love it if that was an integral part of American culture?
Unfortunately, we Americans tend to be more of the work-a-holic, eat-and-go, fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants. However, in the summer months when the sun is just too hot and my body starts to snooze and grow weary, I welcome the siesta like any good Spaniard would.
Siesta, arising from the latin words hora sexta, meaning the sixth hour, is traditionally taken quite literally at the sixth hour after dawn. In other words, a siesta is a midday, after-lunch nap. While true, the siesta is usually a part of cultures that feature warmer-than-usual temperatures (i.e. Spain in the summer), it also is prevalent in cultures that feature a heavy midday meal, and such is the case in European lifestyles as well. Of course, this creates the perfect conditions for a nap!
Traditionally, early afternoon would allow shops to shut down temporarily, and people would rest with friends and family. However now, especially with Spanish economy on the decline, many people are swapping extra hours of work for siestas. Unsurprisingly, in our increasingly fast-paced world, this cultural tradition is for the most part on the decline. However, there are scientific and research-backed reasons as to why siestas should remain a good idea when possible; for example, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, argue for the biological and neurological benefits, such as improved memory, of the brain-boost that is napping. Of course, such benefits are not only for the traditionally Spanish two hours of shut-eye; instead, even just 20 minutes of snoozing in a library Knowledge Commons chair can leave you feeling refreshed and ready to learn.
And so, next time time your eyelids are drooping and the sun is beating, make like the Spaniards do and enjoy some quality siesta-time. The tradition isn’t dead yet, and after all, doesn’t our over-working provide a good enough excuse? Buenas noches, amigos!