Afternoon brain fog, eyes that betrayingly want to droop, the desire to lie down for at least fifteen minutes. A nap. For some, it's a luxury and a sign of laziness, for others, an integral part of a productive day, a legal tradition. There are those who can't imagine themselves without a "quiet hour," and there are those who would never lie down during the day, afraid of feeling exhausted in the evening. Who is right? And what does science say about this short dive into Morpheus' embrace? A Short History of Long Rest Humanity has been divided into two camps long before the Industrial Revolution. In countries with hot climates, the afternoon nap, or siesta, was a vital necessity. In Spain, Italy, Greece, and Latin American countries, shops closed and streets quieted in the middle of the day, and people would take a post-lunch nap to wait out the scorching sun. This tradition dates back to Roman culture, where there was a "cold break" from 12 to 3 PM. In the late 20th century, many countries tried to abolish the siesta for economic efficiency, but the tradition proved resilient. Today, in 2026, discussions are ongoing in Spain about returning to a full working day with a nap break. Unlike Southern Europe, Northern countries, including Russia, never had a tradition of daytime sleep. Our climate and lifestyle dictated a different schedule: early rise, work without a break, and early bedtime. However, globalization and remote work are blurring these boundaries. Physiology: Why You Feel Like Napping After Lunch The desire to lie down between 2 and 4 PM is not laziness, but a biological rhythm. Our bodies are designed to have another, weaker "sleep peak" in addition to night sleep. This is related to circadian rhythms — internal clocks that regulate hormone production. Melatonin production (the sleep hormone) indeed increases at night, but there is also a slight increase during the day. Moreover, after eating a carbohydrate-rich meal, serotonin levels rise, which ... Read more