Quick answer: A siesta is a period of sleep or rest after a midday meal. It is associated especially with Spain, but afternoon breaks and naps also occur in many other places. A midday business closure does not mean everyone takes a nap.
Where does the word “siesta” come from?
The Real Academia Española traces the Spanish word to the Latin sexta hora, or sixth hour, associated with midday. Its definitions include sleep taken after eating and the time set aside to rest. The term has a long history; the way people use a midday break has always varied with work, climate and family routines.
Where do people take siestas?
Spain: Some businesses, particularly smaller shops, may close for a midday meal or break and reopen later. Schedules vary by city, season and business. Many workers do not have an opportunity to nap.
Latin America and the Philippines: The word and the idea of an afternoon rest are familiar in some communities, though customs vary widely within and between countries. A visitor should check local hours rather than assume a universal closure.
Elsewhere: Midday rest also occurs in places with different traditions and names, including parts of Italy and China. Similar routines are not necessarily identical to the Spanish siesta or derived from the same history.
How to make an afternoon nap work
- Keep it early enough. A late nap can make nighttime sleep harder for some people.
- Start short. If you have trouble sleeping at night, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests adults limit naps to about 20 minutes.
- Allow time to wake. Some people feel groggy after a nap, especially a longer one; avoid immediately starting a safety-critical activity if you feel impaired. Our sleep inertia guide explains post-nap grogginess.
- Protect nighttime sleep. A nap can help with short-term alertness, but it does not replace regularly getting enough sleep.
Frequently asked questions
Is a siesta always a nap?
Not necessarily. The word can also refer to the time set aside to rest after a meal, and a midday break may be used for lunch or other activities.
Does everyone in Spain take a siesta?
No. Work schedules and customs vary, and many people do not nap during the day.
Is there one perfect nap length?
No. A short nap is a reasonable starting point for some adults, but needs and schedules vary. Longer naps can cause grogginess or interfere with nighttime sleep for some people.