How to Reduce Drowsiness After Lunch

The drowsiness that hits a lot of us after lunch is part of our body's normal rhythm. It can be reduced somewhat, but not prevented completely. Combining the right mix of protein, carbohydrates and overall calories at lunchtime, along with healthy living habits, can help make this afternoon slump easier to bear.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get enough rest at night. If you find you're having trouble sleeping, limit your intake of caffeine after lunchtime. A vicious cycle can occur when you don't sleep well at night, so you have more caffeine to get through the next day, leading to having trouble sleeping the following night.

2. Make time for a nutritious breakfast, which will help to reduce drowsiness in the afternoon. Blood sugar levels naturally drop after four hours, so if fatigue is a particular problem, you might try eating five small meals a day instead of three large ones to combat the drowsiness.

3. Eat a lunch that is low in fat, around 300 to 500 calories, and includes carbohydrates as well as three to four ounces of protein. Eating a large meal causes blood flow to be directed toward the stomach for digestion and away from the brain, causing sleepiness.

4. Go for a brisk 10-minute walk after lunch. This aids digestion, helps to clear your mind and re-energizes you for the afternoon. A longer workout either before or after work will help you sleep better at night, ultimately reducing drowsiness after lunch.

5. Resist the urge to snack on candy. It might give you an instant boost of energy, but it will quickly be followed by a crash. You'll end up feeling even drowsier. Better choices for afternoon snacking are a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts or seeds.

6. Drink plenty of water. A symptom of even mild dehydration is drowsiness and, often, goes unnoticed because we aren't feeling thirsty yet. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help you to stay energized.