Overwhelming afternoon tiredness

[MyDogsPaws]

aibu to think there must be a solution to ‘afternoon fatigue’? I often get so tired around 2pm I often cannot function properly, I can’t think straight and get awful headaches at the same time, sometimes I get clumsy and feel like my speech is slow.

In the mornings I feel fine and in the evening I am often so wide awake that I struggle to get to sleep. But I have have the most massive energy crash from 2-5pm. During the week my job is a mix of very physically intense site visits and I’m usually fine those day, or office days where I do get really tired in the afternoon. Weekends are the worst though, yesterday I took my kids out for a walk around 1pm and went to soft play afterwards I could feel myself getting tired and getting a headache at soft play so made them leave earlier than planned, but on the drive home I was so tired it didn’t really feel safe to drive so had to keep pulling over for a few mins and getting out the car for air. I had an excruciating headache when I got home I couldn’t look after my dc had to have a lie down while they were on their devices. I slept for exactly 10 minutes and woke up feeling normal again.

This happens to me all the time. I usually try really hard not to sleep even though I know it will make me feel better as even 10 mins sleep will stop me sleeping at night and make the problem worse the next day. I’ve suffered from this my whole life but it’s getting worse and worse the older I get. Never had a diagnosis of anything other than on and off low iron which I take tablets for as needed. Part of me thinks it must be mental as I dont get tried when I’m outside working and I feel so much better in the evening.

I was supposed to be going to visit someone this morning and they have asked If I can come this afternoon instead but I’m so worried about driving after yesterday that I’ve just has to cancel instead which my dc are very disappointed about.

Has anyone else ever had this and found a solution?

I don't have a magic bullet answer I'm afraid, but for me it's definitely worse when I have a big or very carby lunch and when I don't go for a decently fast walk at lunchtime. Usually if I keep lunch reasonably light and more protein based then go for a 30min fast paced walk I seem to cruise through the afternoon far better!

Have you noticed any common factors with what you're eating? I notice you say it's worse on your office days?

Sounds like it is specifically cognitive fatigue rather than physical. We often underestimate the amount of cognitive effort tasks like childcare and computer work take. If you know that you have difficulties in the afternoon, I suggest taking additional rest breaks earlier in the day. You are supposed to move away from the screen and have a break every 20 minutes according to most workplace H&S policies.
It is probably worth talking to your GP about investigating headaches in case they are what's causing it.

I sting too much carbs/sugar definitely makes it worse but it doesn’t seem to be the only cause. Sometimes I wonder if going completely keto would work. When I work outside I dont really struggle with it at all, it seems to be related to being indoors!

Have you had a proper check-up? My DH had this, he was falling asleep every afternoon and had headaches, and had high blood pressure and blood sugar issues. Personally I get headaches if I eat too late or don't get the balance of protein and carbs right at lunchtime.

If I cut carbs I definitely notice more energy in the afternoons.

You need to go to the doctor and discuss under active thyroid and vitamin D deficiency.

This is why humans have afternoon naps. It is just no longer socially acceptable!

I know someone who naps at lunch when WFH. They tell no one, but really why is a nap frowned upon when a walk would not be? They timesheet the hour off, have 40 winks and wake up refreshed.

However naps are not easy with kids!

Related to being indoors, ie lack of fresh air, could be migraine?

Do you absolutely have to be in the office on as many days? If you were to work from home and go out for a walk at a set time, perhaps starting earlier in the morning to create that time.

Yes I had exactly this. It turned out to by hypothyroidism. Medication changed my life.

Everyone says they relate to this- but they don't, really. There's a mid afternoon slump, and there's being unable to follow a conversation, or falling asleep at your desk, because you're so tired every single afternoon. If you're the latter, go to your doctor for a blood test.

I do agree that you could get a check up however I also think that some people are just built for having an afternoon nap and shorter sleep overnight. Very common in hot countires, although obviously modern life is not conducive to afternoon naps!

I’d probably start off with getting your thyroid and b12 checked. Both can cause tiredness and the symptoms you describe if your levels aren’t right.

thanks everyone. I’ve already had all the thyroid/vit tests done several times but all fine other than low iron which I do take tablets for.

Blue light like strip lights can be an irritant for some people, which starts up early migraine symptoms (fatigue, headache, irritation to sound/light/touch etc). Walking outside even in cloudy weather can help eyes readjust. Is it possible that the lighting is affecting you? Is there any ability to sit by a window at work if so, and/or to take a walk outside?

I have this too. Had a few days lately when I was nearly falling asleep at the wheel ☹️

I don't get enough sleep at night but it's specifically an afternoon exhaustion. A cat nap really helps but theyre hard to do.

This is me!

I do this. Means I can breeze through my afternoon with focus and energy rather than sat yawning staring at my screen

I read your first paragraph and my first thought was carbs at lunchtime.

I stopped eating carbs at lunch years ago, and it made a huge difference.

If I do eat them, I can't keep my eyes open in the afternoon amd I have to nap or I just can't function. If I don't, no problem.

Some peoiple react ro carbs more than others. Keto has huge benefits for some with regards to energy levels.

Before you overanalyse and overmedicalise - are you just tired?

I would try more sleep as my first port of call if I was tired. Parents are often chronically sleep-deprived.

How much sleep do you get?

Drink water. Fucking loads.

I get this when I don't drink enough, especially if I've been outside a lot. Some days I come in from work and sleep for three hours, but days when I've managed to be mindful about staying hydrated I'm fine.

Good luck, it's kind of awful so I totally empathise.

Was coming here to suggest anemia. Do you know that tea/,coffee 2 hours either side of iron supplements leech it straight out of your blood by around 70% do you boost it with vitamin c?

I get this too. Around 2pm I feel overwhelmed with tiredness and struggle to keep my eyes open. It doesn’t seem to matter what I eat for lunch, I think it’s just my circadian rhythm.

In the same way there are morning larks and night owls, I think some people are naturally inclined to want sleep in the afternoon. Unfortunately we live in a society that favours larks and the rest of us have to manage.

@bergamotorange i try and get 7-8 hours a night. I think I could sleep more but that the most I can feasibly get. The afternoon tiredness isn’t always affected by sleep, for example I can have bad nights sleep and be okay as long as I’m outside all day but if I was in the office or at home I’d really struggle. And sleeping well doesn’t mean I won’t get the afternoon fatigue

This used to be me. What’s cured me is fasting until lunch and not eating carbs for lunch. I also eat as late as I can - usually 2:30.

At the weekend, I’ll allow myself a carby lunch but only because I can go and sleep afterwards.

I think outdoor light is a big factor. Indoor lux levels are around 100-150 lux, whereas outdoors they’re around 11-18k lux. I don’t get the same sort of sleepiness when I’m outside.

What about a couple of strong coffees to keep you going?