Gosh there’s an interesting divide here between the camp that tries to hack their body (skip lunch, protein only, heavy caffeine use, methylphenidate) and those that adjust to their body (napping, walking/other exercise, adjusting scheduling to allow for a slump).
This is just my opinion but the first group is full of terrible ideas that will leave you exhausted/starving at the end of your day while prioritizing work over life - while the second group is giving their body a rest and will likely have more energy at the end of the day. It’s not worth working yourself into an early grave.
And then there’s the very obvious middle ground - just. don’t. eat. so. much.
Most of my adult life (18-40) was working in some sort of labor intense industry. There’s an age range where your body needs that energy because it’s continuing to grow and get used to your work life. But then you get older, your body ages, chemicals change, muscles change, your job description changes. And a lot of people, well into their twenties and thirties, continue to eat like they’re still in their teens. That’s how you get fat.
And being tired after you eat is your body telling you that something is no longer the same. Why are you tired? Because you fekkin ate too much and your body can’t metabolize that food as quickly as it used to - ya big dummy.
I’m now in my mid-40s, I work from home and sit at a desk. I eat smaller portions throughout the day. I have one cup of coffee in the AM. I usually get about three hours of walking in a week and a solid eight hours of sleep with no alarm. I’m nearly full of energy as soon as I get out of bed and I’m rarely tired during the day (unless it’s a stressful day).
So, if you find yourself getting sleepy after lunch, try eating half of it a half hour earlier than you would normally eat. Then wait an hour. If you’re still hungry, eat half of the remaining half. Wait a half hour and eat the rest if you’re still hungry. And drink a lot of water. It’s helps move things around, fills you up. and keeps you hydrated. Dehydration can make you sleepy too.
While thus advice comes across as judgemental and obnoxious, it is infact accurate and good advice for everyone. Listen to your body, take your time to eat, eat reasonably well, drink water, go to bed at the same time every day and get 7-8hrs sleep. You’ll live longer.
Heavy workload is less of a predictor of heart attacks than the level of autonomy and flexibility one has at work.
Working hard isn’t that bad for you. Being demeaned is the silent killer.
Dont eat that much?
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Half hour nap. Plus caffeine afterwards.
Have a job where you don’t get to sit down, that did the trick for me
It depends on your age or health I guess. I’m now 34 and I am learning some types of food will tend to make me sleepy while others will help me stay away and focused for longer (or maybe they just don’t make me sleepy?)
Basically avoiding any type of heavy carbohydrates does the trick to me. Bread, spaghetti, potatoes, milk (in your coffee).
If I do get sleepy, also not sitting straight after lunch helps, I recently got a standup desk and I stand the first 30 min after lunch for work, really helps.
Also avoid any kind of sugar at all costs. Candies, dessert, ice cream, chocolate, sweetened coffee, and counterintuitively even some fruits such as bananas may give you a sugar crush.
Similar age, noticing the same. It never used to matter. Although I also used to have jobs where I was on my feet all day so I’m not sure what is aging and what is living a sedentary life. I usually have a handful of almonds in the afternoon and that’s fine. Also avoiding afternoon coffee seems to help.
But I’ve started walking for a half hour before work and after a couple weeks, I feel like I have more energy in general.
Since being diagnosed with ADHD and taking meds, I no longer have this problem.
A siesta, it’s healthy and natural.
Skip lunch
Primal scream therapy. Great for keeping you awake. Plus it keeps terrified coworkers from bothering you at all ever.
Do I wait until my coworkers try to talk to me to do the screams?
I lay down on couch for 20 minutes.
When I work from home. In the office I can not manage to rest even on the couch.
Exercising has really helped with this, and getting better sleep (the 2 go together I think)
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2 cups of coffee (1 with breakfast, one mid morning). Small lunch.
10-20 minutes eyes closed/nap. Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.I try to take cat naps, but you would be amazed at how big a difference just closing your eyes for 10 min makes. Mid day brain haze completely gone!
I drive for UPS and the pick me up I get from taking a quick cat nap in the back of the truck cannot be overstated.
I don’t have enough time in which to eat at work. That said food doesn’t make me sleepy.
If work doesn’t give you time to eat, unionize or quit
Can’t speak for others but I notice I only feel sleepy if I have a huge meal. A normal sized meal followed by a fruit usually keeps me going till home time.
