June 15, 2025 International Trending News Stories

Why should we always have a nap in the afternoon…

Many companies in Spain have understood this, China and Japan, that give their employees a mid-day nap, while in the United States, Italy, and many other countries, rest in the workplace is seen as a waste of time.
Taking a nap in the afternoon is a good habit. It recharges the mind, the body, and has a positive effect on the economy. Many companies in Spain, China, and Japan have understood this, giving their employees a mid-day nap, while in the United States, Italy, and many other countries, rest at work is seen as a waste of time. But according to the researchers, it is far from a slacker’s habit. Here are the reasons, from several points of view:

Mental: a nap of a maximum of 6 minutes improves long-term memory and increases the ability to remember facts and notions. A 20-30-minute nap improves motor skills (including keystrokes) and alertness, while 30-60 increases decision-making skills. NASA has found that a 40-minute nap improves performance by 34% in military pilots and astronauts.
Physical: The body also benefits from an afternoon nap. Studies have shown that those who indulge in restful sleep have lower levels of cytokines (a high concentration can damage organs) and norepinephrine (which can cause hypertension, anxiety, and tachycardia).
Economic: According to Wilson Quarterly magazine, a 2011 study showed that lack of sleep, and the inevitable exhaustion that comes with it, cost $63.2 billion a year in lost productivity, while the world spends $70 billion on sleep-enhancing products. Other studies show that a quick 20-30 minute nap increases work performance by up to 34% through reduced stress, greater attention to detail, and improved cognitive skills. Naps also lead to less impulsive decisions and greater tolerance to frustration.
Siesta lovers are right, therefore, that, contrary to what is thought, it is not at all linked to doing nothing. According to Juan José Ortega, sleep expert and vice president of the Spanish Sleep Society, the word “siesta” comes from the Latin Sexta: “Romans used to stop to eat and rest at the sixth hour of the day. If we keep in mind that they divided the periods of light into 12 hours, the sixth hour corresponds in Spain to the period between 13:00 and 15:00, depending on the season”.

But how has this practice become so widespread in Spanish culture? “In a word, war,” notes Quartz. “After the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s, many people worked two jobs to support their families. The two-hour break was perfectly located to allow workers to go home and take a short break between shifts, eat a meal, take a nap, and spend time with their families. But today, the habit may be dripping: “60% of Spaniards say they never take a siesta, perhaps because high unemployment drives workers to work as hard as their bosses who work long hours”.

Not everyone, the researchers warn, can indulge in the luxury of a nap: according to Michael Perlis, Assistant Director of the sleep research laboratory at the University of Rochester, those suffering from insomnia or depression “would do better to avoid in order not to worsen the symptoms.”

Related Posts

Dr. Parham Yashar, the Founder of Yashar Neurosurgery, Advises Young Surgeons to Prioritize Patient Care

December 16, 2021

December 16, 2021

Everyone deserves the chance to live a life free of sickness and impairment caused by avoidable causes. And upon suffering...

There is a new apple

January 16, 2020

January 16, 2020

Cosmic Crisp will be sold starting today in the United States, it is patented and the New York Times speaks...

Loa Blasucci on Self-Healing through Biofield Purification Technique

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

In a world where the clock ticks relentlessly and the pressures of modern life weigh heavily upon us, the quest...

Why developers should pay attention to their health

January 8, 2020

January 8, 2020

The irresponsible sale of new features favors pressure in software development. This increases health risks for developers. Many programmers, and...

7 Easy Steps to Adopt a More Sustainable Lifestyle

January 31, 2022

January 31, 2022

It is common knowledge that the planet’s resources are depleting, and there are urgent steps required to adopt a sustainable...

Coronavirus suspicion of cruise ship has not been confirmed

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

After a Chinese woman on a cruise ship in Italy complained of fever and breathing problems, thousands of passengers were...

Eating against dementia: 20 foods that help – and 9 that harm

January 17, 2020

January 17, 2020

What we eat promotes or stops cognitive decline. In the eyes of US neurologists Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, nutrition is,...

Meet Abby Roberge: A Comedian For All

March 24, 2021

March 24, 2021

If there is ever a comedian to be dubbed as suitable for all audiences; it’s Abby Roberge.  This one of a...

Making Your Life Pain-Free and Healthy with Josie Medema, a Fitness Model, and Influencer

November 26, 2022

November 26, 2022

Living pain-free and active is the ultimate health and fitness goal. Having a great shape or strong body isn’t always...

Medical Student and Content Creator Kumail Hussain Shares Tips to Avoid Burnout

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2021

Medical student burnout is a prevalent issue considering the exhausting routine and tedious program it is. It tends to bring...

The strange habit of parrots throwing food away

January 8, 2020

January 8, 2020

They do it more under certain conditions, and a new study suggests they do it out of selflessness.In the animal...

John Lohrenz: Neurochange Practitioner and Former Wall Street Veteran on a Mission to Change Lives Through Holistic Lifestyle Planning

July 17, 2023

July 17, 2023

How often do we take a moment to pause and reflect on our lives? Doing so can be difficult, especially...

Overcoming Barriers and Tackling Mental Health: Kai Lanier is the Living Example of Resistance and Resilience

January 24, 2023

January 24, 2023

From being nothing and having zero followers to being an uprising social media influencer with a community of half a...

The psychologist gives tips against the fear of flying “Acute breathing exercises help”

January 7, 2020

January 7, 2020

Verena Kantrowitsch suffered from fear of flying. Here the psychologist explains how she healed herself – and what she recommends to...

How Creative Director and Fashion Designer Janice Lee Can Bring Your Dream Wedding Dress to Life

March 13, 2023

March 13, 2023

Have you been dreaming of your wedding dress but can’t figure out what you’re looking for? Are you completely lost...