A siesta is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. It is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those in warm-weather zones. The term "siesta" can refer to the nap itself, or more generally to a period of the day, generally between 2–5 p.m. This period is used for sleep, as well as leisure, mid-day meals, or other activities. Siestas are historically common throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, the Middle East, mainland China, and the Indian subcontinent. The siesta is an old tradition in Spain and, through Spanish influence, most of Latin America.

The benefits of incorporating a siesta into your daily routine include feeling more rested and finishing your workday strong. Short naps may also help reduce sleep debt, which is the overall amount of time people spend asleep, resulting in a sleep debt. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night, but activities such as work, commuting, and socializing have been shown to reduce the overall amount of time people spend asleep.

Although most people associate the siesta with Spain, the practice actually originated with ancient Romans in Italy, where it is called a riposo. Similar midday nap breaks are common around the Mediterranean and in many Latin American countries, where the midday is often hot. Before air conditioning existed, the siesta offered a much-needed break from the hottest hours of the day.

In Spain, the typical workday would span from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a two-hour break for the siesta, then work would resume from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. . Although most people do not time their siestas so literally, traditionally, siesta takes place after lunch in the midafternoon. The duration of a siesta can vary, but most experts believe a short 10- to 20-minute nap is enough to improve health and productivity.

In conclusion, a siesta is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. It is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those in warm-weather zones. The benefits of incorporating a siesta into your daily routine include feeling more rested and finishing your workday strong. Although most people associate the siesta with Spain, the practice actually originated with ancient Romans in Italy, where it is called a riposo.