Any way to stop feeling really tired at around 2:30 pm?

krist3ng
krist3ng Posts: 259 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Other than taking a nap, lol... and other than drinking coffee, which keeps me awake at night.

My food diary is open to public, if you think there's something energy-sapping in my food... (I haven't had the "Dinner" stuff yet, I just planned it out). Has anyone here managed to conquer post-lunch workday exhaustion? With some sort of food or nutritive supplement?
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Replies

  • Sunbrooke
    Sunbrooke Posts: 632 Member
    I used to add chia seeds to my water bottle and sip on that. They are supposed to be good for energy. I have more flexibility with eating now, but I still add them to my water if I'm feeling sluggish.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Add more protein and less starch to your morning meals. This has made a world of difference for my husband, and he isn't even trying to lose weight.

    Eat all of your calories more often.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    Protein in the morning works wonders for me on weekdays. It's purely anecdotal, I guess, but when I was in grad school, I fell asleep in one particular class every day until I switched from cereal to eggs for breakfast and stopped eating salad for lunch.

    The only day of the week this does not work for me is Saturday because I want my Saturday afternoon nap and my pancakes.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Other than taking a nap, lol... and other than drinking coffee, which keeps me awake at night.

    My food diary is open to public, if you think there's something energy-sapping in my food... (I haven't had the "Dinner" stuff yet, I just planned it out). Has anyone here managed to conquer post-lunch workday exhaustion? With some sort of food or nutritive supplement?

    This is why in certain countries they have siesta time. It's pretty normal to feel tired around 2-3 p.m.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I would suggest eating more calories overall. Calories are energy, your diary says you'll barely top 1000 today.

    Eat more protien. Maybe have a handful of nuts or dry roasted edamame (my favorite) when you start feeling tired.

    And be sure you are getting enough sleep.
  • SunnyCoons
    SunnyCoons Posts: 4
    I can't help in the food area, but I've started taking a 15 minute walk around the building in the afternoons on my break, and it wakes me right up.
  • krist3ng
    krist3ng Posts: 259 Member
    Add more protein and less starch to your morning meals. This has made a world of difference for my husband, and he isn't even trying to lose weight.

    Eat all of your calories more often.

    Thanks! I generally just go for oatmeal because it's quick, cheap, easy, and very filling. I honestly have no idea what to have for breakfast if it's not cereal, yogurt, or oatmeal. Eggs are too much work and dirty a pan. And I'm vegetarian, and am trying to be vegan every other day (a totally random self-imposed challenge) so... rrgh.
  • sjaykay13
    sjaykay13 Posts: 74
    I agree with previous posts, more calories and more calories from protein early in the day. I also have a fruit right after lunch for a little boost and take a 10-15 walk to get myself going. Caffeine is a quick fix, I stick with one cup in the morning but don't drink any more throughout the day. It's a tough slump for most people, try out a bunch of things and see what works best for YOU
  • kellyskitties
    kellyskitties Posts: 475 Member
    I make my afternoon droop time my break time - and I know you don't want coffee - but my trick is coffee and a treat (usually fiber one brownie). Close office door or go outside. Me time. 10-15 mins. Just me. No naps. I sometimes do it in complete silence. sort of a disconnect and relax moment. My mind usually whirrs away working out my day, but that's ok.

    You could do a tea and fruit thing. Or a soda and a cookie. Whatever fits your gig.

    I think caffeine, a little treat (carb), and the disconnect are what works for me. Then I feel so much better after and my work effort is improved.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    NO! And I don't even work anymore and I still have it. Eating less for lunch hasn't cured it either. Neither has drinking my morning coffee later in the morning.

    So far the ONLY things that work for me are:

    1) an actual nap, which is as out of the question now as a stay at home mom as it was when working because of pick up time.
    2) coffee! which means I may never get away from my newly reformed reliance on this. time to reup my starbucks card, least I know how to maximize my purchases there.

    Good luck OP, I hope you get answers we can ALL use!
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    B6, B12, D3
  • krist3ng
    krist3ng Posts: 259 Member
    I would suggest eating more calories overall. Calories are energy, your diary says you'll barely top 1000 today.

    Eat more protien. Maybe have a handful of nuts or dry roasted edamame (my favorite) when you start feeling tired.

    And be sure you are getting enough sleep.

    I will definitely top 1000, I just don't know what my post-dinner snackathon will be comprised of yet!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Other than taking a nap, lol... and other than drinking coffee, which keeps me awake at night.

    My food diary is open to public, if you think there's something energy-sapping in my food... (I haven't had the "Dinner" stuff yet, I just planned it out). Has anyone here managed to conquer post-lunch workday exhaustion? With some sort of food or nutritive supplement?

    This is why in certain countries they have siesta time. It's pretty normal to feel tired around 2-3 p.m.

    GLAD SOMEONE ELSE SAID IT, I'M TIRED OF BEING THE ONLY ONE SINGING THIS SONG, everyone always looks at me like, you're in america bish, we don't DO lazy here!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    B6, B12, D3

    are these apartment numbers?
  • mindyvanwesten
    mindyvanwesten Posts: 16
    advocare spark!
  • crushinpussy
    crushinpussy Posts: 2
    fruit in the morning
  • krist3ng
    krist3ng Posts: 259 Member
    B6, B12, D3

    Good idea! I actually have something of a 'severe vitamin D deficiency', and am not too hot on my B vitamins either. I'll stock up with these at my desk from now on...
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Other than taking a nap, lol... and other than drinking coffee, which keeps me awake at night.

    My food diary is open to public, if you think there's something energy-sapping in my food... (I haven't had the "Dinner" stuff yet, I just planned it out). Has anyone here managed to conquer post-lunch workday exhaustion? With some sort of food or nutritive supplement?

    This is why in certain countries they have siesta time. It's pretty normal to feel tired around 2-3 p.m.

    GLAD SOMEONE ELSE SAID IT, I'M TIRED OF BEING THE ONLY ONE SINGING THIS SONG, everyone always looks at me like, you're in america bish, we don't DO lazy here!
    lol

    Yeah ... not lazy. Just part of being human. I think there's some biological reason behind it and I may have even known once what it was, but I've forgotten.

    It does help some to get up and move around, but that isn't fail-proof.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    Oh yes...the 2pm crash. I get it almost every day. Coffee helps.
  • katekross
    katekross Posts: 463 Member
    I usually sip on green tea or a flavored hot tea.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    There's a reason many countries do siesta in the middle of the day. I get a little sleepy in the afternoon too if I'm not doing something active (and with my job most days I'm not doing anything active).

    Caffeine is really the only thing that works for me. Coffee, Diet Mtn Dew, etc.
  • NinnianeOfAvalon
    NinnianeOfAvalon Posts: 3
    No, B6, B12, and D3 are vitamins. Getting out and getting some sunshine can help with the D vitamin, which can make you feel more energetic. Another thought, rather than eating more of your calories more often is to make your lunch your heaviest calorie meal and make dinner lighter.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    No, B6, B12, and D3 are vitamins. Getting out and getting some sunshine can help with the D vitamin, which can make you feel more energetic. Another thought, rather than eating more of your calories more often is to make your lunch your heaviest calorie meal and make dinner lighter.

    The heavier my lunch, the stronger my urge to sleep shortly thereafter.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    No, B6, B12, and D3 are vitamins. Getting out and getting some sunshine can help with the D vitamin, which can make you feel more energetic. Another thought, rather than eating more of your calories more often is to make your lunch your heaviest calorie meal and make dinner lighter.

    The heavier my lunch, the stronger my urge to sleep shortly thereafter.
    I would think that would be the case.

    That advice confused me.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    B6, B12, D3

    are these apartment numbers?

    *snort*
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Some days I grab an 8 ounce Red Bull, some days it's a Mt Dew, some days I need a triple espresso with chocolate syrup...


    ...and then there's those days when I reserve a "huddle room" (small meeting area), grab two chairs, something soft, set an alarm, and take a 20 minute power nap.
  • jbueza
    jbueza Posts: 14 Member
    This used to happen to me all the time because I'd have relatively large sushi meals at lunch. I switched to salads and more carb-heavy stuff in the evenings and now my work days are a lot better. Hope that helps!
  • MinMin97
    MinMin97 Posts: 2,674 Member
    Me too. It's just part of the sleep cycle. I really don't know if you can fight it. You could work with it, by taking a 15-20min nap at that time. Some non-caffeine cognitive herbs may help alertness, such as gingko. The drink Kombucha (GT Dave's is a winner) helps alertness a lot without bashing your CNS or making you awake at night.
  • willnorton
    willnorton Posts: 995 Member
    fat and protein....healthy fats.....mono and poly fats
  • RhysWill_I_Ams
    RhysWill_I_Ams Posts: 245 Member
    "Thanks! I generally just go for oatmeal because it's quick, cheap, easy, and very filling. I honestly have no idea what to have for breakfast if it's not cereal, yogurt, or oatmeal. Eggs are too much work and dirty a pan. And I'm vegetarian, and am trying to be vegan every other day (a totally random self-imposed challenge) so... rrgh."

    You can make scrambled eggs in the microwave! And eat it from the same bowl which is quick and easy. Also might be worth one day like boiling up a batch of eggs. That way each morning you've got a snack or quick breakfast as well as your oats.

    Another option is Almond butter or good quality Peanut butter on wholemeal toast with a banana. Good source of fats potassium and protein. Plus Almond butter controls your blood sugar so you won't be dipping towards mid afternoon.

    Good luck and hope this was helpful

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