this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2023
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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 isnβt that bad for you. Being demeaned is the silent killer.
I'm pretty sure there are a lot of us in neither camp where we just don't have an after lunch slump. I only get sleepy after eating if I have an absolute buttload of food, which I tend not to do on my lunch break at work.