Why Do I Get So Tired in the Afternoon?
When it comes to energy, do you ever hit the afternoon wall? For many people, there comes a time—generally around 2 pm to 3 pm—where you’re suddenly and inexplicably exhausted. Your eyes start to droop, your energy seems sapped, and thoughts drift.
Experiencing the afternoon doldrums is normal. In fact, it’s physiological. And it’s especially common if you’re in the same setting all day, such as your workplace or a classroom.
But why does this slump seem to come out of nowhere? And how can you mitigate it, if not eliminate it, without relying on caffeine?
Today, we’ll answer why you get tired in the afternoon and propose some healthy ways you can proactively address it, like taking natural liquid energy supplements.
Why Do I Get Sleepy in the Afternoon?
Afternoon sleepiness is intrinsically tied to your circadian cycle. This is the biological clock that regulates your sleep and wake rhythms. It determines when you feel alert and when you feel tired. Per PubMed:[1]
“The sleep-wake cycle is normally timed to occur at a specific phase relative to the external cycle of light-dark exposure. It is also timed at a specific phase relative to internal circadian rhythms, such as the pineal melatonin rhythm, the circadian sleep-wake propensity rhythm, and the rhythm of responsiveness of the circadian pacemaker to light.”
This late-day energy lull is natural. Both adults and children often experience an afternoon mini-cycle that mimics the drowsiness you tend to feel before you go to sleep.
In fact, according to Ph.D. Michael J. Breus,[2]
“It has to do with a dip in your core body temperature. Right before you go to sleep at night, your core temperature begins to drop, which is a signal to the brain to release melatonin. The exact same thing happens on a smaller scale between 2 and 4 in the afternoon. It's a mini-signal to your brain to get sleepy."
“It's a mini-signal to your brain to get sleepy” — Ph.D. Michael J. Breus
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