“America Runs On Dunkin’.”

With no disrespect, the above quote is a bold and telling commercial mantra that’s not something to brag about.

Speaking of programming, how clear is it to everyone that societal conditioning, or in this case the power of corporate propaganda, is captured in the above quote?

Then again, consider the source and the message brewing behind it, if you’ll pardon the pun.

This writer really enjoys allowing for paradoxical thinking to percolate on the truth that just because I’m pro-rest does not mean I’m anti-caffeine.

Consider the cultural tradition of the Spanish word Siesta.

Moreover, further exploration of siesta’s lineage derives from the Latin phrase hora sexta.

Because in the ancient Roman system, the sixth hour was roughly considered the middle of the day.

Ah, Rome . . . The Eternal City. “When in Rome.”

Historically, siestas are common in warm-weather zones like the Mediterranean (especially Spain), Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Asia

Often taken after a large midday meal, siesta is a cultural practice designed to avoid the intense heat of the afternoon and recharge for the rest of the day

In many towns that observe the tradition, the workday is split. Businesses and shops close for a few hours in the early afternoon, allowing workers to go home, share a large meal, and rest before returning to work until the evening.

Personally, I have a strong value that supports the value of rest. No need to fight against being tired. We all need down time where performance isn’t the focus.

And while any good value shouldn’t necessarily be mandated, the idea of taking a Siesta should be encouraged, incentivized and integrated within the framework of a systemic, developmentally healthy program design and paradigm.

I have always been intrigued by the idea of taking a siesta, catnap or what modern researchers call the power nap.

Furthermore, many of us have heard stories that align with modern pro-health research that concludes that a short 20-to-30 minute power nap can significantly boost cognitive function, reduce stress, and improve alertness.

Back in early Elementary School, I remember when we experienced a version of siesta that was generally part of our daily routine. After lunch & recess (my favorite part of the day), we would reintegrate back into our classroom to rest in a designated personal space, where the lights remained off and we were expected to be quiet.

In fact, some of us had fun pretending to be asleep, maybe some fake snoring or real farting, you get the drift. Funny, some of us pretending to take a nap actually ended up falling asleep without realizing it.

Social Learning Theory in action. Imagine that.

People weren’t calling it teaching siesta as a healthy transitional form of co-regulation back then. And yet, that’s exactly what it was.

Interestingly, the siesta is a time-tested tradition that remains a working cornerstone of cultural heritage.

Of course globalization and modern work schedules have caused the daily multi-hour closure of businesses to decline in larger cities.

There’s nothing wrong with taking action, performing tasks or drinking caffeine.

And yet building in rest and downtime into our everyday routine carries with it a power not to be underestimated.

Time to take a Siesta!

Take care of yourselves everyone,

Ari