Siesta, Spanish healthy Tradition
Naps Have Become something more than just a Tradition
May 24, 2007
According to the Spanish tradition, it is said that San Isidro (a Catholic Saint) was involved in the invention of the nap (or “siesta”, in Spanish). In fact, everybody in this country had always thought the “siesta” was original from Spain. But in fact, this healthy tradition is also practiced in China, Greece or Middle Africa.
About its origins, we can affirm the “siesta” (or nap) comes from the times of the Roman Empire. Concretely, the word “siesta” comes from the Latin term “hora sexta” (Sixth hour). This is the term used by Romans to refer to the period of time between 2pm and 4pm. That was the time Romans used to have lunch and then sleep for some time.
La Siesta has been assumed by Spaniards as a national symbol, and it is very common to have lunch and then go to sleep for half an hour, one hour or even more!
Some people think nap is more common in areas of Spain with high summer temperatures, but in fact, the “siesta” is also very popular and practiced in the North or the country.
Lately, Scientifics have studied this custom and have discovered there are a lot of good reasons to take a nap.
Benefits of the nap are:
- Some studies sponsored by the NASA confirmed that some cognitive functions work best than others: So, the work memory performance was better than vigilance and basic alert. David Dinges, from Pennsylvania Medicine University affirms that, according to their results, the nap is good for solution in the short term.
- At the Unites States, Doctor James Maas affirms that taking a nap at work can reduce industrial accidents. Nap improves workers performance and it is the best solution to something very common nowadays: lack of sleep.
- The “siesta” length mustn’t be longer than 1 hour and not shorter than 15 minutes, because during this time, blood pressure and body temperature becomes lower, and this helps to get a deeper sleeping.
- Several studies have proved its therapeutic advantages and even some Scientifics from Harvard affirm nap help students to consolidate what they had learn during the morning.
- some reports from Greek studies confirm the fact that all those person who nap will have less risk of heart attack and stress.
- Avoid sleep disorders.
- Napping stimulates creativity, helps to avoid or overcome work pressures or conflicts, according to Doctor James Mass.
- Different investigators around the world have come to the conclusion that napping the right time will prevent absenteeism and accidents, and at the same time will increase productivity.
According to this last benefit, several companies around the world have already added to their work installations places where their employees can take a nap for 15 or 30 minutes. Some cultures tend to think those taking a nap could be considered as lazy people, but Science test is confirming nowadays something very different: our body has an internal biologic clock, and in the end, taking a nap is more a biological need that just a custom from hot weather countries.
