We’ve all been there. It’s 2 p.m. and you can barely keep your head up. You nod at the teacher’s phrases, but you have no idea what’s going on. You get caught dozing and snap back up. Fifteen seconds later, the whole process repeats.

You could use a siesta.

Matthew Walker, a University of California Berkley professor, presented research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science held in San Diego, which finds people who take naps often have better memory.

Walker found those who remained awake throughout the day became worse at learning, while those who napped actually improved their learning capacity, according to The Economist.

I’m somewhat of a napping advocate, and it’s so reassuring to see one of my favorite activities receive scientific merit.

In Roman culture, the powernap was considered a physical necessity rather than a luxury. When people, specifically Americans, take naps today, it’s considered lucky they had enough time in the day.

The Spanish have long used the siesta to revitalize their minds midday, and I think it’s the right time for Americans to adopt it.

A short time to relax in the middle of the day could cut down on stress, depression and make us better learners. In fact, it could drastically improve your life, according to siestaawareness.org.

The siesta can improve productivity by up to 30 percent, alertness by up to 100 percent, reduce stress and heart disease by 34 percent and increase your overall well-being and happiness.

The site even has a list of famous people who have used the powernap to lead countries.

Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton both used it. If that doesn’t convince you, Napolean did it too.

The ideal nap is between 10-20 minutes, according to siestaawareness.org.

This gives you enough time for a short break, and you won’t be groggy when you wake up.

The site explains there is a biological need for napping in the middle of the day, and all mammals except humans do it regularly. The appropriate time for napping is 8 hours after waking. Coupled with a heavy lunch, the mid-day nap can be a necessity for many of us.

American culture directly conflicts with the idea of a mid-day nap. The lifestyle is too fast, too busy and too cutthroat.

We must change the culture to make way for the nap.

I propose everything shut down between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to allow for lunch followed by sufficient napping.

Classes can’t be held during this hour and a half, and businesses would allow for breaks during this time. Everyone would bring their own lunches to work, eat with their friends and co-workers, then grab a pillow and sleep under their desks.

It would work marvelously. Everything after 3 p.m. would be so fresh and enjoyable.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of this culture change is low. The next easiest thing to do is schedule your class schedule around your naps, but that’s getting difficult now with decreasing numbers of classes offered.

So if you can afford the time, make sure and take a nap. You could find yourself tolerating that class at 2 p.m. a little better, and if you’re not careful, you just might learn something.

Column: ED SZTUKOWSKI, News Editor

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