

There are many symptoms that come along with the afternoon slump, including:įatigue: Extreme tiredness is the No.

What are the symptoms of the afternoon slump? If you’re getting enough sleep and eating properly but still feel tired in the afternoon, consider talking to your healthcare provider about possible underlying causes, such as an autoimmune disease or iron deficiency. This can result in fatigue, reduced short-term memory, headaches, and poor concentration. Research shows that even mild dehydration causes cells in the body to shrink, including brain cells. This decrease leaves you tired shortly after you finish your meal.ĭehydration: When you’re dehydrated, your body loses fluid and electrolytes more quickly than it can replace them. To add to the cycle, when you don’t get enough sleep, you are more prone to stress.Įating poorly: A breakfast or lunch rich in carb- and sugar-heavy processed foods can cause energy levels to spike and rapidly decrease. When you don’t sleep enough, you build up sleep debt, making it harder to stay awake for the whole day.Įxcessive stress: When you’re stressed, a hormone called cortisol works overtime, leaving you feeling depleted. Not getting enough sleep: If you don’t get enough sleep (7 to 9 hours) regularly, this will worsen the afternoon slump. Many things can worsen an afternoon slump, including: However, your circadian rhythm isn’t the only thing responsible for that shift in energy. Just as this rhythm makes you tired at night, it also makes you sleepy with decreased alertness in the afternoon, especially between 1PM and 4PM. Your body naturally experiences a circadian rhythm, which is responsible for you feeling alert and tired throughout a 24-hour period. And it’s easier to overcome when you understand what causes it. There are many reasons that people feel less energetic in the afternoon. Why does my energy slump in the afternoon? Keep reading to find out what causes midday fatigue and how to prevent and manage the symptoms. It causes decreased energy and loss of focus. The afternoon slump is when you start to feel tired or groggy around mid-afternoon, usually just after lunch. Sound familiar? Experiencing low energy in the middle of the afternoon, or an “afternoon slump,” is fairly common.

Picture this: It’s 2PM, and you’re aching to reach for a pick-me-up coffee.
