From Sleep Influencers to Coffee Nap, how sleep changes language and professions

“Sleeping is distracted from the world.” This is one of the most sincere, useful and illuminating phrases of Borges. In a very poetic way, the Argentine writer reminds us why the importance of rest and quality sleep should never be underestimated. In addition to recharging the energies, closing your eyes (and possibly also the mind) means taking a break from problems, moving away from worries and the cruel inescapability of life. Sleep, the protagonist of the world day that is celebrated today, has always deeply influenced man’s life, from language to the world of work. And never as today this influence is evident. Between social media, frenetic rhythms and new professions created to face chronic problems related to rest, the interest in sleep has become central in the life of many, fueling scientific research and innovative solutions.

The linguistic experts of Babbel – The app that promotes mutual understanding through languages – They made a glossary of international terms linked to the nap, now recognized as a beneficial habit to face the day with more energy. They also analyzed the most recent trends on sleep and identified the new professions connected to the art of sleeping well. The picture that emerges is complex and fascinating, witnessing how much sleep is an essential component of our existence.

Nap

The way we give ourselves a break varies widely from culture to culture. There are those who consider rest a sacred ritual, those who use it to increase productivity and those who integrate it into their routine without any sense of guilt. As Esteban Touma, Content Producer and Babbel’s teacher, highlights, Each culture manages rest in a different way, both in the duration and in daily habits. This diversity is reflected not only in language, but also in the very perception of sleep.

• Coffee nap: with this term, translatable into Italian as “post/coffee nap”, reference is made to a practice that consists in drinking coffee, ideally after lunch or before a moment that requires a lot of concentration, and immediately after going to bed for a short rest of a maximum of 20 minutes. Even if it might seem counterproductive to combine caffeine with sleep, in this way in this way it would leave time to caffeine to enter the circle and start acting, thus improving attention and positively influencing the mood.
• Pennichella: the word “nomichella” is used in many Italian regions to indicate the afternoon nap; The origin of the term could derive from the Latin verb “pedicular”, or “hang, swing”, such as the movement of the head of those who are about to fall asleep on the chair.
• Siesta: the Italian nomination corresponds to the practice of the “siesta”, typical of countries such as Spain and Latin America; It also originates from the Latin and in particular from “Hora Sextta”, or the “sixth time” of the Roman day, therefore noon, a moment when the activities were stopped to rest during the hottest hours.
• Inemuri (居眠り): This Japanese expression, which in Italian can be made as “being present while sleeping”, indicates much more than a simple nap. It is in fact a technique used to rest in public – on the vehicles, at school and even work – without ever disconnecting from the surrounding environment to be ready to return “in service” if necessary. If in many countries fall asleep in the workplace it could be seen in a very negative way, in Japan it is instead a sign of dedication and commitment and is therefore socially respected.

The importance of sleep, between viral trends and new fears

In recent times, the awareness that sleep is not only a necessity, but also an essential ally for productivity and health, has been strengthened more and more. Scientific studies confirm that sleeping well improves memory, concentration and even longevity. At the same time, the theme has conquered space on social media, giving life to new viral neologisms and trends related to rest.

• Sleep hygiene: with “sleep hygiene” refers to habits, behaviors and environmental factors that positively influence the quality of night sleep. To sleep well, for example, constant times should be maintained both to go to bed and to awaken, create a quiet environment by paying attention to the right temperature and the minimum reduction of the lighting of the room, also avoiding using technological devices before bedtime.
• Sleepmaxxing: particularly in vogue trend on Tiktok among the genters, consists in implementing a series of strategies to maximize sleep quality. Among the most common practices include elaborate beauty routines, breathing techniques and even the use of special patches for the mouth to improve night oxygenation.

• Ortosonnia: Sleeping well is important, but you have to be careful that it does not become an obsession. With “Ortosonnia” (very recent term born from the union between “Ortho” or “just/perfect” and “Somnus”, that is, “sleep”), a spasmodic search for perfect sleep is indicated, persecuted through the continuous use of apps and devices for monitoring, which often leads to further stress and, paradoxically, in difficulty falling asleep.
• Earlynight: Another viral trend on social media among the younger generations is to go to sleep early, even at 9:00 pm, to encourage better rest, in clear contrast with the trend, spread in the past, to make small hours. This practice reflects a growing attention to the well -being and respect for the body’s natural rhythms.

The new trades

From social media to medicine, the sleep sector is evolving into a real ecosystem of experts and innovators. Some roles are unexpected, others highly specialized, but everyone share the same goal: to improve the quality of rest and help people sleep better.

• Sleeping streamer: It may surprise, but there are content creators who transmit live on their social networks while they are sleeping. The goal can be to create a relaxing atmosphere for those who follow them: many people find conciliatory for their sleep routine to look at someone else who sleeps.
• Sleep influencer: It can be considered an emerging profession in the panorama of new social careers. The Sleep Influencers Tesplane mattresses, review sleep supplements, experience technological gadgets and promote techniques to improve the quality of rest. Often linked to the Sleepmaxxing phenomenon, they share content ranging from evening rituals ideal to binaural sounds and the best positions for sleeping.
• Sleep coach: It is an expert sleep professional who, through personalized techniques and the study of habits, helps people improve the quality of their rest to fall asleep naturally and effortlessly.
• Sleep technologist: in this case too we talk about a professional who helps people solve sleep -related problems; Specifically, “sleep technologists” use some technologies, such as polysomnography, to monitor sleep, brain waves and breathing, thus identifying any ailments such as night apneas chronic insomnia. These experts work in a close contract with the “Sleep Specialist”, the doctors specialized in the treatment of sleep disorders, providing them with detailed data to develop personalized care plans.