This is how the world sleeps

An important reason for the widespread sleep deficiency in Spain is the typical Spanish life style with its late lavish meals, an extensive nightlife and the habit of watching television late into the night. Eating, going out and sleeping at different times than most others do is part of Spanish identity.

The Siesta, however, the traditional mid-day nap, is on the retreat and less and less Spaniards are able to enjoy it. Other factors, which deprive Spaniards of sleep, are economic worries, a repercussion of the recent economic crisis, or environmental factors like noise pollution. Spain is one of the loudest countries in the world.
On our search for the causes of Spanish sleep deficiency we jump into the pulsating Spanish nightlife, visit a family in rural Chinchon, meet an office worker in Madrid for lunch and accompany an actress with a sleep disorder through the night.