Afternoon energy dip normal?

charlenekapf

I've had this energy issue the 2nd half the day. Evenings are better but afternoons I feel drained (1-3/4 pm). I don't eat a carb heavy lunch and fast until that meal. I have tried having a snack/not having a snack and it doesn't make a difference in energy. Coffee helps but I hate to rely on having it after morning.

I make sure to get plenty of protein...I try to eat under 750 calories as I prefer to save a good portion for dinner. I get 6-8 hrs sleep and workout intensely every morning. I do have hypothyroidism (taking medication) and am currently waiting for test results back for sleep apnea. Still, wondering if it is normal to feel this way most days?

I'm eating enough calories and am losing weight very slowly. Mornings I feel fine but it amazes me how tired and lethargic I become the 2nd half the day. Napping is not an option but I wonder if this is just something most people deal with as I've been this way for at least a few years?

Need2Exerc1se

Are you getting enough sleep? Can you try having your afternoon snack first (when you normally eat lunch) and then eating your lunch later?

I get that drained feeling if I eat early in the day so I now don't eat lunch until 2:00 or later. No more afternoon grogginess.

iamthemotherofdogs

I have had this issue for a while. The more active I am, the less it gets to me. I have an alarm set on my phone to get up and MOVE a little every 45 minutes. The slumps are getting fewer and fewer between, slowly. Very slowly.

Mrs181

I get that around 2pm nearly every workday, but that also tends to be a slow hour for me, and really I'm just bored.

Unknown

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charlenekapf

Need2Exerc1se wrote: »

Are you getting enough sleep? Can you try having your afternoon snack first (when you normally eat lunch) and then eating your lunch later?

I get that drained feeling if I eat early in the day so I now don't eat lunch until 2:00 or later. No more afternoon grogginess.

I usually don't eat until 12-1:30 and this is after working out intensely in the morning for 45-50 minutes, fasted from 7 pm the night before. I wait as long as I can and used to fast until 4 or 5 pm and eat one meal to help keep hunger down. I don't fast as long now but find on days I don't eat until 3-4, I still experience the same fatigue--although it's more extreme fasted. In the morning my energy fasted is great but after noon, it starts deteriorating either way. Possibly also a come down from the morning coffee.

charlenekapf

iamthemotherofdogs wrote: »

I have had this issue for a while. The more active I am, the less it gets to me. I have an alarm set on my phone to get up and MOVE a little every 45 minutes. The slumps are getting fewer and fewer between, slowly. Very slowly.

Agree, staying more active can help. Sitting definitely worsens it. I'm usually pretty active with my job but when I have mandatory meetings in the afternoon, I'm amazed at how people can sit through them and look alert. I also notice it happens close to when I'm due for my 2nd dose of thyroid hormone so it could be that also exacerbating the fatigue. Often I'm 30 minutes-1 hr late taking that and notice more energized after. Just curious as to how most people feel energy wise throughout the day--what is "normal" and can I hope to achieve one day. I have yet to get the thyroid numbers optimal and waiting on sleep apnea diagnosis.

maggibailey

I am always tired in the afternoon. If I could take a 30 min nap I’d be golden. I haven’t noticed it being better or worse regardless of wha to eat or how my thyroid levels are. I always just assumed it was part of the day. It doesn’t happen on days off when I’m having fun though so it probably mostly in my head.

DebLaBounty

If you have sleep apnea those 6 hours of sleep is very low quality and plays a large role in daytime fatigue. I'm often fatigued around 2pm. It's probably a natural thing, and it's too bad our culture doesn't recognize a daily siesta! I agree with the idea that you get up & move. Drink a big glass of water, as even a little dehydration can make you tired.

charlenekapf

DebLaBounty wrote: »

If you have sleep apnea those 6 hours of sleep is very low quality and plays a large role in daytime fatigue. I'm often fatigued around 2pm. It's probably a natural thing, and it's too bad our culture doesn't recognize a daily siesta! I agree with the idea that you get up & move. Drink a big glass of water, as even a little dehydration can make you tired.

Thank you for the insight. Yes, it's crazy that no matter if I sleep 5-8 hours I'm exhausted no matter what. Glad to know others feel fatigue around the same time. Yes, I agree it is very "go go go" here in the US. Thanks for the tips

Fitnessmom82

Same issue here, hypothyroid and all! I've just accepted that I feel sleepy in the afternoon. I always perk back up in the evening. I don't want to rely on coffee either, so I just ride it out.

LAWoman72

I have wondered whether it's natural. I write for a snoring site and saw a paper on napping which showed human beings, though technically diurnal, may before the advent of agriculture have slept a few times throughout the day, lightly, cat nap-style.

I hate the energy slump...

DX2JX2

Siestas usually happen at 3PM for a reason! Everybody tends to get the afternoon lulls!

evileen99

DX2JX2 wrote: »

Siestas usually happen at 3PM for a reason! Everybody tends to get the afternoon lulls!

Yep. Afternoon fatigue is totally normal.