Why Siestas Are So Popular In Spain
Do you remember those days back when you were a child and you absolutely refused to take a nap at the designated nap time? Do you know how, now that you’re older, you silently judge yourself for missing all of those amazing napping opportunities?
How would you like a very legitimate reason to catch up on lost time?
Welcome to Spain, where naps are as popular as tapas and late night bar hopping with your friends! If you’ve never come across the term siesta before, it’s about to be your new favorite thing about the beautiful, laid-back country of Spain. Here’s why.
It’s History, Tradition and Culture!
The nap has its origins way back from the beginning of humankind, so it only makes sense that we have continued the practice today. Though it seems to disappear as we age, to be replaced with work, errands and other life necessities, it’s very much alive and well in Spain in the form of the siesta, and it has been for quite some time now.
Spain, as you may know, has over 300 days of sunshine a year. That means it’s hot out there! It’s perfect for sun tans and fun in the sand, but it isn’t ideal for laborers that spend most of their working hours outside. Thus, the siesta was born! It’s a short, 15 to 20 minute napping period that used to provide laborers an escape from the hot rays of the sun; but, it still continues this day to give the modern worker a much-needed break after a nice long lunch.
Spain’s Atmosphere Welcomes the Siesta
Long lunch, we say? Yes! Get excited, because lunches are meant to be shared and enjoyed with your loved ones. Lunches are longer in Spain than they are in many parts of the world, inviting you to sit down and relax and actually enjoy the meal you’re having. If this sounds strange, it may be because you just aren’t used to the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere the Spaniards have created. The atmosphere here is much slower, so you’ll find that many people take their time walking down the streets and generally don’t rush to get anywhere or get anything done.
This means the siesta just makes sense! And it will make even more sense once you start enjoying those long lunches, late dinners and even later after-parties.
When You Stay Up All Night…
You need a nap. Let’s face it, many of us aren’t night owls, but the Spanish locals love to keep the party going into the earliest hours of the morning. You won’t even eat dinner until after 10PM, which means bar hopping with tapas, sangria and dancing doesn’t even kick into gear until around midnight! So believe us when we tell you, you’re going to need the siesta. Aside from coffee, it may be the only thing that keeps you going throughout the day while you’re in Spain, so don’t shy away from taking part in this awesome tradition!
Perfect Your Siesta!
If you do want to take part, then here’s what to do! Start by going back to your comfortable, private villa where you can opt to change into some pajamas, or just wear the clothes you already have on. Then grab some pillows and blankets, crawl onto your couch or into bed, cover up, lay your head down on those soft pillows and let yourself drift away… for about 15 to 20 minutes. Anything longer than that and you aren’t practicing the siesta anymore, you’re just sleeping the day away! It may help to set an alarm to get you up so you can get back to the beach or ready to head out for some Spain fun.
But even though it may be a short time, it’s still one of the most amazing things about Spain. So, it isn’t too hard to understand why it’s so popular!