siesta

A siesta is a short nap taken after the midday meal, traditionally in hot climates where the outdoor temperature makes work difficult during the hottest part of the day. Siestas are often brief, ranging from about 20 to 30 minutes, but longer rests of up to two hours are reported in some regions. The practice is historically linked with agricultural rhythms and the heat of the afternoon, and it is most commonly associated with Spain and many Latin American countries, as well as other Mediterranean and tropical regions.

The word siesta comes from Spanish, and ultimately from Latin sexta hora, meaning the sixth hour of daylight. The idea was to pause work after noon to escape the peak heat and to return refreshed for the remainder of the day.

Cultural patterns vary. In places where the tradition persists, shops and offices may close in the early afternoon, a break known as the siesta, before re-opening in the late afternoon; in others, modern work schedules have reduced or eliminated formal midday rests. The practice is sometimes framed as an adaptation to climate, but it is also tied to social life, allowing family time and meals, and is sometimes romanticized in popular culture.

Modern assessments weigh productivity and public health considerations, noting that long midday breaks can affect business hours and logistics, while short naps can improve alertness and performance. Siesta habits are thus unevenly distributed today, with regional continuity in some communities and transition in others.