Siesta

Siesta is a great Spanish export. This remark once offended a Spanish friend, who disliked the stereotype of Spain as overly relaxed. Since this is part of why I chose to live here—and because I appreciate the country, its culture, and its way of life—I had to think quickly to defend myself. I said, if everyone took a siesta (just a half-hour nap each day), the world would be more peaceful.

Science actually backs my claim. With more rest, we’d be less aggressive, less hyper. Sleep restores us, makes us healthier, and even improves our appearance. The difference between being sleep-deprived and well-rested shows how crucial sleep really is.

Yet modern life, especially office culture, pushes us to sleep less, often replacing naps with coffee or energy drinks. I remember reading an interview with Arianna Huffington, the Greek-American author and co-founder of The Huffington Post. She told off a date who proudly claimed he didn’t need much sleep. Later, after a health scare from exhaustion, she wrote The Sleep Revolution, a book discussing the importance of sleep.

A Universal Concept

Resting during the day isn’t just a Spanish idea; it’s a universal concept adapted in different ways by different cultures. In business circles, the “power nap”—a short nap of 10 to 20 minutes—is encouraged to recharge. Some companies even have designated nap spaces. But while the concept is recognised, it isn’t widely practiced.

The Spanish siesta gained popularity partly thanks to old films starring celebrities like Ava Gardner in The Barefoot Contessa, which romanticised the Mediterranean lifestyle. Over time, the siesta became symbolic of Spain’s relaxed culture. But siestas weren’t only about leisure—they also had practical roots. The word comes from the Latin hora sexta, or “the sixth hour” after dawn, roughly noon, when Romans would rest during the hottest part of the day. In Spain, Italy, and other Mediterranean areas, this evolved into the midday rest to escape the heat and recharge.

In Italy, a similar practice called riposo sees shops and businesses close for a few hours in the early afternoon. Meanwhile, Japan has “Inemuri,” meaning “sleeping while present,” a culturally accepted way of taking brief naps in public or at work. This reflects a different attitude toward rest, where napping can even show dedication, as if the person worked so hard they need a rest.

Finding the Best Siesta

Experts suggest 20 minutes as the ideal siesta length. If I’m short on time, I set my alarm for 20 minutes, which I find refreshing enough. If I have more time, I might nap longer, but I try to avoid more than 90 minutes—otherwise, I risk feeling groggy or disrupting my evening sleep.

I take siestas whenever I can, often if I feel tired in the afternoons, as my schedule varies. Ideally, I nap in bed, but a comfortable sofa or chair in a quiet, cool spot works too. It doesn’t matter if you’re lying or sitting.

I also use sleep masks, many of which I’ve collected from air travel, to block light. If I’m wide awake, I still take a “siesta position,” put on classical music or a podcast, and try to relax. Even this feels like a good substitute.

Why Does Siesta Rhyme with Fiesta?

While writing, I wondered why “siesta” rhymes with “fiesta.” A quick search revealed that both words share Latin roots along with words like manifesta, modesta, and honesta.

And since we’re on the topic of fiesta, it reminds me of Raffaella Carra, the Italian singer who was super famous in Spain with songs like “Fiesta.” It’s only fitting to end with this tune.

So here’s to siestas, fiestas, and finding balance in daily life.

Sydney, 9 November 2024