Imagine being able to compete in a race to prove you're a champion napper.
That's what went on in Spain, as contestants vied for a first prize of about $1,400 in credit to purchase goods at a shopping mall. The "grand siesta champ" was chosen by the public on Oct. 23, and the voting included the help of the Internet.
The event is quite a scene, with competitors lying down on blue sofas in the middle of a loud, bustling shopping mall as people gaze and the world goes on around them. Not even the surrounding stores close down like they usually do in the afternoon to allow employees their afternoon nap.
Spanish media have given a lot of attention to the championship. And for good reason: the siesta, which has long been a Spanish tradition, is losing its luster. The realities of modern life coupled with a weak economy have conspired to eliminate the afternoon napping session, which can last more than hour.
In this competition, sleep is limited to just a 20-minute power nap, and people are hooked up to devices that can determine whether or not a person is truly sleeping. A doctor attaches pulse meters to contestants' chests so that the judge, sitting in a lifeguard-type chair overlooking the five sofas, can tell who is sleeping and who isn't.
The complex rules award points based on how long a person sleeps during the 20-minute competition time. Extra points are awarded to those who sleep in unusual positions and those who don eye-catching pajamas. The kicker: lots of extra points are given to those who snore!
According to some reports, Spaniards are woefully sleep-deprived. The fact that Spain boasts an unemployment rate of 20 percent may just have something to do with this significant lack of sleep, along with the loss of the siesta.
But will a siesta competition change the growing movement away from the once-coveted afternoon nap? Unfortunately, probably not.
In the United States, napping has never been a cultural fixture despite all the studies proving its health benefits. You shouldn't need a sleeping competition to encourage you to nap. A nap can be the quickest way to reboot your tired brain in the afternoon, charge yourself up for the rest of the day, and help you refresh yourself down to the cellular level. And you don't need a blue couch in a busy mall to do it. You can try this one at home (or maybe even the office):
- Eight and 30: Aim to take a nap eight hours after your wake time, but no later than 3:30 p.m. (otherwise your nap could disrupt your ability to fall asleep that night, especially if you're early to bed). Set aside 30 minutes, as it may take you 10 minutes to fall asleep (if you fall asleep much faster, you are likely sleep deprived, and you really need a nap), which leaves 20 minutes for the power nap. Use an alarm clock.
If anyone gives you a hard time catching a few winks in the afternoon, just tell them that you're working on your brain power, and that they, too, could use the brain boost if they're acting so misinformed. They need mental space for the facts about napping!
Sweet dreams,
Michael J. Breus, Ph.D.
The Sleep Doctor™