Afternoon Siestas for Everyone!

Ahhh the siesta. That great mid-day nap that symbolizes sleep more than anything else. I live in Tulum, Mexico where many local shops, offices and churches will close midday because it’s just too hot to be productive. A siesta doesn’t necessarily mean sleep. For me it’s the beauty behind practicing a slower paced lifestyle at that 6th hour in the day and allowing yourself some necessary quiet time.
Afternoon siestas or naps were never part of my daily routine before I became a personal trainer and fitness instructor.  But after 7 years in the fitness industry, taking a siesta after high intense training with clients became an important piece in my wellness program.

 Sometimes I actually do sleep, but usually my siesta is my midday “me time”… which often means I do absolutely nothing. I schedule space for myself after my last morning training appointment. It’s almost as if I’m my own client and I honor that “me time” appointment like I would any paying customer. That hour is for me to refuel, recharge, recover and re-energize not only my physical self but my emotional self too.

 My siesta can take place at home and if I’m super lucky an actual nap happens in my bed with my lovely dog. More often than not, I have to create my quiet time somewhere convenient and in public. I have a favorite café in downtown Tulum that I’ve been a regular at for the last 2 years. The staff nods me hello as I walk to the back and settle into a corner table for one. The staff knows me really well and they understand I’m there to siesta. They understand I’m coming in to find time for myself and to not be disturbed.  I’ll settle into my seat, close my eyes, block out the noise from the other tables and just breathe. After about 20 min or 30 min, I’ll open my eyes, come back into my day and slowly drink a massive green juice.

A siesta is a conscious effort to take a break, to stop and reflect, and to take time for yourself. In Mexico siestas are common, and as a fitness professional, quite essential to my self-care and mindfulness practice. But why not get inspired by this idea of doing nothing midday in order to rest and recharge, be it physically, mentally, or otherwise?

Kate Nolte
Tulum Personal Trainer