Why You Feel Sleepy After You Eat And How To Avoid It!
Many of us may feel an unrejectable urge to sleep after a hearty meal and conveniently,it usually happens right after eating lunch.But why?How should we avoid it?
Try and get at least 7 hours of sleep at night,this way even if you feel a bit tired at around 2 in the afternoon,you won't feel sleepy.Since you’ve gotten a good sleep your body has already completed its sleep cycle.As far as being tired is concerned,you can always drink some lemon juice or water to replenish your energy.This leads us to our next point.
A wise man once said, "We are what we eat." Well, in a way it is true.The type of food you eat affects your body.If you are eating foods that help produce serotonin then you might feel a little sleepy after having lunch.Serotonin is a chemical that can help in regulating your mood as well as your sleep cycle.So, what kind of food causes the body to produce more serotonin?The answer is simple, any type of food that is rich in carbohydrates and proteins.Foods with lots of protein contain amino acids,one of which is tryptophan.This is in stuff like chicken,which is why you might feel sleepy after eating it.Tryptophan helps the body to produce more serotonin and the carbohydrates help your body absorb more tryptophan.Tryptophan is mostly found in eggs,meat,fish, spinach and dairy products. All of which are very important sources of protein for humans. Similarly, carbs is mostly found in foods like pasta,rice,bread and cakes.Simply put,there is no way you can escape these two.Hey all they want to do is help your body rest while it absorbs the necessary minerals it needs to function properly.Although it might be a problem if you are going for a meeting or a presentation right after you eat.
Instead of having full meals three times a day, divide them into five or six balanced meals.This way you won't be consuming enough tryptophan or carbohydrates to affect your mood or your sleep cycle.It would enable you to be more productive and stay healthy.Don't skip meals,as you may end up causing more harm to your digestive system than you realize.And always have a proper breakfast.It is the most important meal of the day,after all.With that said, let’s talk about our next point.
You may notice that the urge to sleep increases when you have consumed more food during your lunch break.Just like we explained earlier, when you eat a lot of food that may contain tryptophan and carbohydrates,you will feel the need to sleep more often.The amount of sleep you got the night before also plays a major role.Additionally,if you already have high levels of blood sugar then you would likely feel more sleepy,as larger meals in the afternoon are known to raise the blood sugar levels and dip the energy flow of your body.So if it’s approaching 2 in the afternoon,you’re feeling drowsy and you didn't have a good sleep at night, it’s probably because you had a lunch filled with protein and carbohydrates. You’ve just cooked up the perfect recipe for a nap.
First of all,never compromise with your sleeping hours.When you don't have enough sleep at night,you will feel sleepy during the day.That urge will only increase after you have had lunch.
The second point would be to go for a short walk after lunch.Walk for 100 metres and back if you can.Since your body is now involved in physical activity, it would be able to digest the food without casting the sleeping spell on you. While you’re at it, you can also drink some juice and get back to work feeling fresh and energetic.Additionally, you can also take a short 15-20 minute power nap during the day.It would help you feel better and more focused with your work.
Speaking of which, did you know in Japan,Teachers encourage students to take power naps after lunch to increase their productivity?Sounds cool, right? Of course, there are two other methods to avoid sleeping after lunch.
When you drink alcohol along with high-protein food and carbohydrates,you’re inviting trouble.The alcohol works as a catalyst for the serotonin and increases your urge to fall asleep.Forget going to work after lunch,you will find it hard to leave the restaurant.This is why you should always avoid alcohol while having lunch.Apart from that, it’s inappropriate in many work cultures to be intoxicated in office.So for your health and your career's sake,avoid drinking.This brings us to our next point
Usually, exposure to brightness may not be good for our eyes.Although there is one time when you can expose your eyes to bright light and that is right after you have had a delicious lunch.Researchers agree that people who were exposed to bright light right after having lunch felt less tired.Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it?If you try this then you won't have to go for a walk after lunch. Sleeping is an essential part of our daily routine.When you have to stay awake and be productive for 17 hours a day then you need to sleep at least 7 hours at night.This will lessen your chances of feeling tired during the day.
Many of us may feel an unrejectable urge to sleep after a hearty meal and conveniently,it usually happens right after eating lunch.But why?How should we avoid it?
- The Time Of Your Meal.
- There is a solution.
Try and get at least 7 hours of sleep at night,this way even if you feel a bit tired at around 2 in the afternoon,you won't feel sleepy.Since you’ve gotten a good sleep your body has already completed its sleep cycle.As far as being tired is concerned,you can always drink some lemon juice or water to replenish your energy.This leads us to our next point.
- What You Eat.
A wise man once said, "We are what we eat." Well, in a way it is true.The type of food you eat affects your body.If you are eating foods that help produce serotonin then you might feel a little sleepy after having lunch.Serotonin is a chemical that can help in regulating your mood as well as your sleep cycle.So, what kind of food causes the body to produce more serotonin?The answer is simple, any type of food that is rich in carbohydrates and proteins.Foods with lots of protein contain amino acids,one of which is tryptophan.This is in stuff like chicken,which is why you might feel sleepy after eating it.Tryptophan helps the body to produce more serotonin and the carbohydrates help your body absorb more tryptophan.Tryptophan is mostly found in eggs,meat,fish, spinach and dairy products. All of which are very important sources of protein for humans. Similarly, carbs is mostly found in foods like pasta,rice,bread and cakes.Simply put,there is no way you can escape these two.Hey all they want to do is help your body rest while it absorbs the necessary minerals it needs to function properly.Although it might be a problem if you are going for a meeting or a presentation right after you eat.
- Don't worry, there is a way.
Instead of having full meals three times a day, divide them into five or six balanced meals.This way you won't be consuming enough tryptophan or carbohydrates to affect your mood or your sleep cycle.It would enable you to be more productive and stay healthy.Don't skip meals,as you may end up causing more harm to your digestive system than you realize.And always have a proper breakfast.It is the most important meal of the day,after all.With that said, let’s talk about our next point.
- Quantity of Food.
You may notice that the urge to sleep increases when you have consumed more food during your lunch break.Just like we explained earlier, when you eat a lot of food that may contain tryptophan and carbohydrates,you will feel the need to sleep more often.The amount of sleep you got the night before also plays a major role.Additionally,if you already have high levels of blood sugar then you would likely feel more sleepy,as larger meals in the afternoon are known to raise the blood sugar levels and dip the energy flow of your body.So if it’s approaching 2 in the afternoon,you’re feeling drowsy and you didn't have a good sleep at night, it’s probably because you had a lunch filled with protein and carbohydrates. You’ve just cooked up the perfect recipe for a nap.
- What do you do now?
First of all,never compromise with your sleeping hours.When you don't have enough sleep at night,you will feel sleepy during the day.That urge will only increase after you have had lunch.
The second point would be to go for a short walk after lunch.Walk for 100 metres and back if you can.Since your body is now involved in physical activity, it would be able to digest the food without casting the sleeping spell on you. While you’re at it, you can also drink some juice and get back to work feeling fresh and energetic.Additionally, you can also take a short 15-20 minute power nap during the day.It would help you feel better and more focused with your work.
Speaking of which, did you know in Japan,Teachers encourage students to take power naps after lunch to increase their productivity?Sounds cool, right? Of course, there are two other methods to avoid sleeping after lunch.
- Avoid Alcohol.
When you drink alcohol along with high-protein food and carbohydrates,you’re inviting trouble.The alcohol works as a catalyst for the serotonin and increases your urge to fall asleep.Forget going to work after lunch,you will find it hard to leave the restaurant.This is why you should always avoid alcohol while having lunch.Apart from that, it’s inappropriate in many work cultures to be intoxicated in office.So for your health and your career's sake,avoid drinking.This brings us to our next point
- Bright Light Therapy.
Usually, exposure to brightness may not be good for our eyes.Although there is one time when you can expose your eyes to bright light and that is right after you have had a delicious lunch.Researchers agree that people who were exposed to bright light right after having lunch felt less tired.Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it?If you try this then you won't have to go for a walk after lunch. Sleeping is an essential part of our daily routine.When you have to stay awake and be productive for 17 hours a day then you need to sleep at least 7 hours at night.This will lessen your chances of feeling tired during the day.
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