Is it normal to feel sleepy after lunch? What causes afternoon sleepiness and how to deal with it

When you return to your seat after lunch, your eyelids feel heavy for some reason. While looking at meeting materials, you suddenly realize your head has dropped and you're wide awake. Your colleague sitting next to you is also doing the same, stifling a yawn. It's a common sight in the office.

Why does working in the afternoon make me sleepy? In fact, this isn't a sign of weakness or staying up too late last night. It's a natural part of how our bodies work.

This time, we will explain what this ``afternoon sleepiness'' is and how to deal with it effectively.

The days when napping meant being lazy are over.

Until recently, napping was often thought of as slacking off. Many people may have been told by their boss, "If you have time to take a nap, you should work on your documents!"

However, research now shows that a short nap can actually increase productivity. A NASA study even found that a 26-minute nap improved work efficiency by more than 30%.

In other words, napping is a secret weapon for getting through the afternoon with energy. It's a habit that's especially necessary for business people. Recently, even major companies have started creating "nap spaces" and encouraging employees to take naps. Rather than fighting sleepiness, it's more rational to simply incorporate a nap into your day.

Reason 1: Your body's internal clock

The human body has an internal clock that determines the time when we feel sleepy. It is set to make us feel sleepy 7-8 hours after waking up and 21-22 hours after midnight.

For example, if you wake up at 7am, you will feel sleepy around 2pm, which is right after lunch.

So afternoon dozing is a natural occurrence, and if you see a colleague rowing a boat next to you, it might be too early to assume they just played too many games last night.

Reason 2: It activates the parasympathetic nervous system

After eating lunch, your body switches to "relaxation mode." This is a sign that your parasympathetic nervous system is working. Blood flow concentrates in your stomach and intestines to aid digestion, which reduces blood flow to your brain, leaving you feeling drowsy.

In other words, feeling sleepy after eating is proof that your body is functioning properly. It can even be considered a healthy reaction.

Reason 3: Blood sugar fluctuations

Another major reason is blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels rise sharply after a meal, the body releases insulin to try to lower them. However, if they drop too much, you enter a state close to hypoglycemia, which causes your brain to lack energy and makes you sleepy.

This blood sugar roller coaster is the reason why eating white rice, bread, or sweets can make you feel sleepy. If you eat too much dessert before work in the afternoon, your fight against sleepiness will become even harder.

Save the afternoon with a nap

If you try to fight off sleepiness while working, your efficiency will plummet. You'll make more typos in your documents and you'll be stumped in meetings. In those cases, a short nap is the best cure.

A 15-20 minute nap will refresh your mind. We also recommend a "coffee nap" by drinking coffee before bed, so that the caffeine kicks in just as you wake up, leaving you feeling refreshed.

A common sight in the office: people napping

• Those who put their head on the desk : When you wake up, the marks on your face are clearly visible, which is a nice touch.
• Conference Room Sneakers : Take a nap on the sofa in an empty conference room, but risk being spotted by the next meeting attendees.

These are all common scenes, but it's definitely more comfortable to use specialized items like eye masks and cushions. This helps you recover more efficiently, so it really shows the importance of "taking a proper nap."

Sleepiness is not the enemy

Post-lunch sleepiness is a natural reaction caused by fluctuations in your body clock, autonomic nervous system, and blood sugar levels. Rather than trying to fight it, using a short nap to your advantage will definitely improve your performance in the afternoon.

There's no shame in feeling sleepy. The next time your eyelids start to droop during a meeting, just think to yourself: "This isn't slacking off, it's how the body works."

Then, give yourself a little encouragement to get through the afternoon with a quick 15-minute nap.