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With all the varieties of food to have during lunch, it’s hard to deny that we’re all in the mood for a little nap after lunch. Our eyelids feel heavy, your head feels like it’s spinning, and if you have a comfortable chair, you might end up falling asleep if you lean back. Post-lunch drowsiness is something we all have to endure, whether you’re at work, or at home. It’s especially bad if you feel it at work since you need to get a lot work done.
Here are seven easy steps to combat the sleepiness after you’ve had your fill.
1. Don’t Skip Breakfast
There’s no running away from the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you skip breakfast, you’re bound to overeat during lunch, and we all know that translates to some serious drowsiness when you’re back at your desk. Even if you don’t have time for breakfast, be smart to stock up your desk with a couple of healthy snacks like cereal bars and muesli so you can least have a bite before you overeat during lunch.
2. Eat Smart
Did you know there are lots of food out there that can induce sleep? Foods like rice, pasta, milk and oatmeal can actually make you sleepier. Avoid those foods when you know you have to get a lot of work done during those hours. Instead, opt for a high-protein meal full of vegetables and meats. A small serving of rice or mashed potatoes should be sufficient as you need a little bit of carbohydrates to fuel some energy.
3. Avoid Junk Food and Fast Food
We know how hard it is to resist those RM7 lunch deals at your favorite fast food outlet, but they’re filled with lots of fat, sugar, preservatives and flavor enhancers that feel like energy, but they’re really not. Sugar and flour-based products should also be avoided because high flour and sugar content will induce drowsiness. After all, nobody enjoys the depletion of a sugar high.
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4. Take a Walk
After your lunch, try squeeze in a few minutes of light exercise like a walk around the building. It may not be a good idea to work out with a full stomach, but something light can certainly improve your blood circulation and digestion. So take a walk around the office or take the stairs for 2 minutes at least.
5. Have Some Caffeine
Caffeine is know for its ability to improve our alertness, but be smart about how it’s being served. It’s best to have some during lunch but when you do, keep it simple. Avoid having tea or coffee with milk, and reduce the intake of sugar too. Green tea is still the best option.
6. Exercise in the Morning
A 15-minute workout in the morning before work can do you more good than nothing at all. It can also curb post-lunch drowsiness a you’ll be boosting the blood circulation in the body. This keeps your energy levels up throughout the day and improves your sleep at night too.
7. Get Sufficient Sleep
While post-lunch drowsiness can be triggered by the intake of food, it won’t help you’re sleep deprived too. Try and have adequate sleep during the weekdays and be a little more disciplined with your sleeping pattern.
