Siesta Benefits the Aztecs Knew About (And You’re Still Ignoring)
- Stacey-Anne Bistak
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
What Cinco de Mayo can teach you about sleep
It’s the 5th of May. Somewhere, among the exhilarating spirits of margaritas being mixed and guacamole being lovingly garnished, is a tired soul explaining for the hundredth time that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day.
Oh, children, you’ve worn him out! See what you’ve done: he’s gone for an early nap.
We see how holidays get co-opted by chip brands and tequila companies. But there is certainly no shame in borrowing something genuinely worthwhile from Mexican culture today. This praiseworthy practice predates the colonial era, has survived modernization, and is now validated by sleep science.
It’s the siesta, that sought-after break for a short mid-day snooze.
In the olden days...
The practice of resting during the hottest part of the day goes back centuries in Mexico, with its roots in the ancient Meso-American civilizations of the Aztecs and Mayans, who had to adapt their daily rhythms to the relentless midday heat.
It was much-needed solace for sun-soaked farmers and other outdoor workers, who needed to conserve their energy for the cooler evening hours.
When the Spanish arrived, they brought their own siesta tradition with them, reinforcing what was already embedded in Mexican life. What emerged was a fusion of two cultures independently arriving at the same conclusion: the afternoon is not for grinding. It’s for resting.
Even today, in rural areas and smaller towns, businesses and schools adjust their schedules to accommodate the siesta, recognizing its role not only for comfort, but also for productivity and well-being.
What the Science Now Confirms about Naps
The ancients were astute observers and embraced practices when they saw benefits from repeating them. We, these days, most often default to science to prove things for us.
Here’s what science says about siestas...
Beyond simply reducing sleepiness, midday naps offer documented benefits:
Memory consolidation
Preparation for subsequent learning
Enhanced executive functioning
A boost in emotional stability
And these siesta benefits appear even when you get enough sleep the night before.
A 2023 study from Spain analyzed data from over 3,200 adults and found that regular nappers who kept their naps to 30 minutes or less had a 21% lower risk of elevated blood pressure compared to non-nappers.
A 2024 study found that habitual nappers maintained higher objective alertness over time than non-nappers. The people who nap consistently aren’t just well-rested in the moment; they’re building a more alert baseline.
Why We Resist Rest
There is an unspoken understanding in the modern world that rest is laziness. This is actually the misunderstanding that the person grinding through lunch at their desk is the serious one, the ambitious one.
Mexican culture, and increasingly, sleep science, disagrees. The siesta was never about laziness. It was about relaxation, rejuvenation, and the social fabric of daily life, with families gathering, stories shared, and life enjoyed at a human pace.
We borrowed the taco. We borrowed the margarita. Maybe it’s time we borrow the nap.
Try It Today
After your Cinco de Mayo lunch, or any lunch (that is, if you are lucky to get an hour’s break for lunch), set a 25-minute timer. Lie down or recline somewhere quiet. Don’t look at your phone. Just nap.
The productivity culture will still be there when you wake up. You’ll just be sharper when you face it.
If you found this useful, share it with someone who needs permission to rest.
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