How to reduce somnolence after lunch?

[Davino]

I sometimes don't have breakfast and when I have lunch many times I feel sleepy. Even if I sleep I don't feel much refreshed afterwards either and sometimes even more tired. Does anyone have tips on this?

I've heard that having a walk can help and I've tried but also feels a bit unnatural. I get drowsy after 45min so it's not when the food is in the stomach but in the intestine.

[PsychedelicEagle]

It could be many factors. You could try walking or exercising next to your meals (before or after - both work) to decrease the glycemic peak and therefore dampen the valley, which is one of the possible causes. Or use other strategies to control the glucose spikes (longer term, reducing saturated fat intake works best to increase insulin sensitivity).

Another thing would be to try to increase sleep quality. If you don't sleep well at night, or if you take too much melatonin for example, the body will try to compensate by sleeping during the day. This entails regulating circadian rhythm.

That said, I've heard getting sleepy in the afternoon is somewhat natural to our chronobiology. Even studies with red light targeting mitochondria shows that it has little effect in the afternoon. So it could also be something biological that we can't completely eliminate.

 

Edited January 14 by PsychedelicEagle

[Davino]

@PsychedelicEagle Thanks for the advice

I've also been looking into abdominal massage

I think my belly could work in more optimal ways. I've always felt like I had a belly-knot and I think it's time to properly address it.

[Michael569]

@Davino do you find it changes according to the composition of your meals? 

Sometimes if, for example there are too many high GL (glycemic load) carbs and not enough protein and fibre to help slow down the gloucose absortion it can influence your post prandial energy. I've definitely been experiencing that in the past before I started looking into health. 

Aside from that, if it persists I assume you're a healthy and fit dude but if concerned you could have your fasting and post prandial glucose levels checked? 

 

Edited January 14 by Michael569