Päiväuni

Päiväuni is a Finnish term meaning a short sleep taken during the day, commonly referred to as a nap. The word is a compound of päivä (day) and uni (sleep or dream). In everyday Finnish, päiväuni typically denotes a light, brief rest rather than a long sleep, and the plural form päiävunet is often used.

Scope and usage: Päiväuni usually lasts from about 10 to 30 minutes, sometimes termed a power nap. Longer daytime sleep, such as an hour or more, can lead to sleep inertia—the grogginess that follows waking—and may interfere with nighttime sleep for some individuals. The practice is more common among children, older adults, people who are sleep-deprived, or those with flexible schedules, and it may occur after lunch or during illness. In Finnish work life, there is no nationwide siesta tradition, but a short daytime break can serve a similar restorative purpose in certain contexts.

Physiological and practical effects: Short daytime sleep can improve alertness, mood, and cognitive performance, particularly after insufficient nighttime sleep or during circadian dips. The benefits depend on nap length and timing. To minimize disruption to nocturnal sleep, many health experts recommend keeping daytime naps brief and avoiding late-afternoon sessions.

Related senses: In some contexts, päviäuni or poetic uses may refer to a daydream, though this is not its primary meaning in ordinary Finnish. As a health or lifestyle term, päinäuni is predominantly about daytime sleep rather than active dreaming.

See also: sleep, nap, siesta.