Sometimes when I have a very busy day ahead of me, I just wish I could take a nap! Many people in American society are so busy that they don’t even have time to get a normal 7 to 8 hours of sleep, let alone a nap. Sleep deprivation has become an epidemic because people will keep going just to get things done. It’s rare that adults take naps in the middle of the day. Now imagine being a part of a culture where taking a nap in the middle of the day is considered custom. Let’s travel to Spain where napping is referred to as a Siesta.
Siesta is derived from the Latin word hora sexta, meaning the sixth hour, counting from dawn until noon. Originally, the concept of the siesta was created to allow people to get out of the heat during the early afternoon, when it’s most hot. Later, the siesta allowed people to spend time with their friends and family. Most often this time is spent after the “lunch hour” which is the largest meal of the day. People would come home to their mothers cooking and eat. Because of the high temperatures and heavy intake of food, people became tired and drowsy and would take a nap.
Although the siesta is not as prominent today as it once was, some regions still hold it sacred because it’s apart of their culture and has been for years. During the siesta the streets are deserted. Now imagine Times Square at 12 noon with no people in sight. That would be a shock because everyone knows that New York is a very busy place! People in American society are so used to being on the go all the time, that trying to take something like a siesta, and working a full day’s job would be hard. It just shows that different cultures have different ways of life.
Although some may wish that taking an afternoon nap become custom here in American society, we know the reality is that everyone is busy busy busy! At the end of the day, at least try to make time for your family and friends and get a good night’s sleep!