The Afternoon Slump: Why the Time After Lunch Feels the Worst

The Afternoon Slump: Why the Time After Lunch Feels the Worst

Do you experience a strange lethargy and drowsiness after having lunch, making it challenging to keep your eyes open? If so, you're not alone. This phenomenon is not unique to you but is shared by millions of people worldwide.

In reality, this time of the day, from 9 to 5, is considered the worst for those engaged in office work. This interesting claim emerged from a recent global survey conducted by Sales Force and Qualtrics.

In the survey, 71% of office employees confessed that the period between 3 to 6 PM is the most challenging for work due to feelings of sluggishness and lethargy.

The study included over 10,000 office employees, shedding light on the multiple reasons behind the afternoon slump that occurs after lunch, around midday or early afternoon.

One factor contributing to this phenomenon is our body's internal clock, where our physiological processes visibly decrease between 2 to 5 PM. Researchers suggest that during this time, we are not as alert as we are in the morning.

This aligns with previous research reports that highlighted the existence of a natural clock within our bodies, which alerts us to fatigue or tiredness during the 24-hour cycle. It indicates that fatigue for sleep gradually sets in during the night, whereas during the day, we are more alert. However, as a consequence of this natural cycle, feelings of lethargy and sluggishness often occur between 1 to 4 PM (the specific time may vary among individuals).

Some reports also mention that fluctuations in cortisol levels, a hormone named cortisone, contribute to the afternoon slump. Additionally, a decrease in physical energy is observed during this time. If your sleep duration is not between 7 to 9 hours, there is no need to be surprised by this afternoon fatigue, as insufficient sleep makes it challenging for our bodies to stay awake throughout the day. Moreover, our diet can also play a role in this regard. If your lunch contains high amounts of carbohydrates and sugar, it can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. The rise in blood sugar levels prompts the body to release a large amount of insulin, resulting in a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels.

As a consequence, you may experience tiredness and lethargy. Dehydration, caused by inadequate water intake during the day, can also lead to the shrinking of body cells, resulting in feelings of fatigue, lethargy, and difficulty in maintaining focus during the afternoon.