Sleepiness in the afternoon is a real thing.
The urge to grab sugar, tea, or anything that will give me a boost comes on strong.
Sometimes I give in and other times I power through.
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This experience is considered a midday slump, a noticeable drop in energy and productivity during the afternoon hours.
Why Do Midday Slumps Happen?
Interestingly, alertness is at its highest level in the early evening hours.
Ask yourself if you are getting enoughquality sleep at night.
If you are not doing that then the slump is going to be worse for you, he says.
Move Around
Get up and go for a walk or even a run when sleepiness strikes.
Moving around boosts circulation, increases oxygen levels, and can releaseadrenalinewhich increase alertness.
If youre at home, take a walk outside.
If youre not able to leave your work area, stand up and stretch for a few minutes.
As our digestive system is working, it pulls oxygen from our brains to digest the foods.
If it doesnt have to work as hard you wont be sleepy, she says.
For most of us, the caffeine has metabolized out probably within about 6 hours or so.
However, he warns against taking caffeine tablets sold as a supplement.
For something more flavorful, Kitley suggests going for your favorite smoothie, green drink, or bubbly water.
Its a nice ritual and refreshing to have something to hold on to.
Bubbly offers many different exciting flavors.
Smoothies and green drinks are full of nutrients and will give you energy, she says.
If you have too much, your body will just expel it out in your urine.
The body doesnt store it.
However, Rocha says, there are not one-size-fits-all protocols for everyone.
There are many things to consider.
It will make it worse, she says.
Instead, focus on recognizing how much progress youve made in the day.
Tell yourself how proud you are of you, Kitley says.
It will help shift your energy, she says.
However, the length of the nap and time when you take it matter.
For most people, a short rejuvenative nap is usually in the realm of 20 to 30 minutes.
The nap should also be several hours before you go to sleep for the night.
I can get to the point where I almost feel like I could sleep standing up, she says.
Then when I wake up, I feel totally awake.
When Is Sleepiness a Concern?
If you have excessive daytime sleepiness, contact your doctor to help determine if there is an underlying issue.
Final Thoughts
U.S. Bureau of Labor.84% of American workers.
National Academy of Sciences.Dietary references intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate.
2020 Jan 16;12(1):228. doi:10.3390/nu12010228.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.Nap duration.
