Derived from the Latin "sixta" which means the sixth hour of the day, or the hour devoted to rest after the meal among the Romans, the siesta is a period of time taken during the day to sleep or rest. Even today, the siesta must take place in the early afternoon, before 3 p.m., so as not to disturb the evening sleep. It must also be carried out in the right conditions, context and personal disposition, to be effective. First, to take a good nap, you have to learn to stop feeling guilty:take a deep breath and tell yourself that you will feel much better and that you will be more efficient when you wake up. Then, settle into optimal conditions. Isolate yourself from noise and light as much as possible and lie down. If this is not possible, do not hesitate to use earplugs and a mask to escape from a noisy environment (office, public transport, etc.). The important thing in the nap is also waking up. In order to take full advantage of the virtues of the nap and regain full concentration, avoid moving immediately after waking up but concentrate to avoid sinking again. Slowly rise to a seated position, massage your face and stretch.
In normal times, to be effective and restorative, the nap must be short and take place between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. We recognize three kinds of naps. The “flash” nap, lasting 5 to 10 minutes, allows you to recharge the batteries and eliminate the feeling of fatigue. Make yourself comfortable, close your eyes, clear your mind and breathe deeply. This light sleeper is not always easy to control, but it is ideal in the office or on the subway. The short nap is the most practiced because it is also the most effective in terms of recovery. It should last between 15 and 30 minutes but not more, at the risk of disturbing your sleep the following night. To be sure to respect the allotted time, do not hesitate to program an alarm. Finally, for the short nap, do not settle down as for the night. Stay in a lighted room and don't change into your pajamas, just take off your shoes. The long nap allows you to recover after a difficult night or in anticipation of a short night. It should last an hour and a half but not more so as not to risk disturbing your rhythm. However, a long nap is not recommended for insomniacs.
On TV and in magazines, we are being told more and more about the virtues of the nap. Apart from the fashion effect, the siesta is practiced in many societies for several reasons including, first and foremost, its stimulating effect. Indeed, contrary to popular belief, the nap is not synonymous with laziness since it increases concentration and vigilance, reduces stress and gives a boost. On the other hand, it stimulates creativity and improves performance. But its benefits do not stop there, it also acts directly on our well-being by softening the mood, promoting relaxation and effectively eliminating stress.
