Wednesday, July 11, 2007

National Siesta Day today

Regular readers of Shedworking will know that we are firm believers in the power of a siesta every day. And so we're delighted to get behind the second National Siesta Day organised by Dr Noel Kingsley as a non-profit making awareness day to encourage everyone to have a short nap and reap the benefits in health and at work. Dr Kingsley says:
"National Siesta Day is one day in the year when we can all close our eyes for 10-20 minutes during our normal lunch break without fear of criticism. Even 5 minutes can be beneficial! Company bosses are encouraged to let their staff have a nap as part of their normal lunch break, avoiding disruption to work."

Siestas are certainly in the news. My former Madrid-based colleague in my pre-shedworking life Elizabeth Nash writes in The Independent that Spanish hotels are cashing in on siestas as the siesta is being rebranded as essential for spiritual wellbeing and a balanced life. She writes:
"Hoteliers in the southern hotspot of Seville are trying to lure visitors back from the beach by offering rooms between 3pm and 7pm at 30 per cent of the normal rate, to slumber through the hottest hours. The idea is that you emerge refreshed to enjoy the late afternoon, sunset and after dark, which Spaniards savour as the best time of the day. As part of the campaign, which has adopted the slogan: "After eating I sleep", you can even book your afternoon snooze from the very restaurant where you enjoy your leisurely, wine-soaked lunch."

We'll be celebrating here at Shedworking accordingly.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:19 PM

    In the Spanish town of Olot last week, we found that pay & display car parks were free between 1 and 4.30, and of course most shops were closed during this siesta time.

    Just a 20 minute nap - have you no ambition?

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  2. Anonymous1:38 PM

    I'm right behind you Gerry - my preferred siesta would be more of a 45-minuter. Except on holidays when it would be more of a three-hourer. Sheds, of course, make great places in which to siesta.

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  3. Anonymous9:48 AM

    in most of the country were people go to siesta during work time is because workers came back to work after 3or4pm to finish the shift until 7pm.Are you sure this is good idea for uk worker?

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