Siesta myth: How healthy is an afternoon nap?

The siesta has long been part of daily life in Spain. When the midday heat reaches the streets and the sun stands at its highest, people traditionally close their shops and shutters and take a break.

But the afternoon nap has lost some of its standing in Spain, even as temperatures rise. Some people have gone so far as to call for the tradition to be abolished.

The debate is not only cultural. Sleeping once a day has never been the universal norm, raising a practical question: would it be healthier or more sensible to take additional naps?

Another choice follows a meal. Should people rest, as the old custom suggests, or walk 1,000 steps instead? A new study examines that question and the health implications of the midday nap.