Help! Why Does My Energy Crash in the Afternoon Despite Good Sleep?

Call it an afternoon slump, an energy crash, or the more scientific-sounding postprandial somnolence. Whatever you call it, it’s a feeling you probably recognize: feeling suddenly quite sleepy during the afternoon, even if you slept well the night before. 

Stephanie Taylor, MD, PhD, works hard to help every patient at A Woman’s Wellspring to live to the fullest, even on those afternoons when you feel like you just really need a nap. Poor sleep is only one of many potential causes of an afternoon crash. Let’s consider a few of the other common reasons for a daily slump after lunch. 

Natural circadian rhythm

Before we get into what could be happening to make you feel tired in the afternoon, we need to mention that it’s common and, in fact, perfectly natural. Your circadian rhythm is the cycle of sleep, wakefulness, and energy. 

To some degree, you feel sleepy in the afternoons because you’re hard-wired to feel like you need to nap in the afternoons. In just the same way you probably start feeling tired at the same time every night, or you may wake up at the same time every day, your body may simply be programmed to be drowsy in the afternoon. 

Chronic stress and chronic fatigue

A less natural reason many people feel tired after lunch is chronic stress. Living in modern society is stressful, and your body has a physical response to stress, including feeling especially worn out in the afternoon.

Chronic fatigue is closely associated with chronic stress, although researchers don’t know exactly how they are connected. Although we know that “find ways to reduce your stress levels” isn’t constructive advice, it could be a pathway to having more energy in the afternoons. 

Depression

Some mental health issues, particularly depression, are associated with fatigue, including the afternoon slump. If you have other symptoms of depression, such as a feeling of hopelessness, changes to your sleep schedule, or unexplained pain, consider discussing them with your doctor. 

Hormonal changes

Since Dr. Taylor provides women’s health services, she has many patients who are experiencing hormonal changes. Perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, can bring about significant changes in your hormonal levels, and that can cause excessive tiredness. 

Your thyroid also produces hormones that regulate your body's sleep-wake cycle, and thyroid dysfunction can exacerbate fatigue. If you have hypothyroidism, the most common thyroid problem, you may experience more pronounced afternoon slumps. 

Diabetes

Another condition that can cause tiredness is type 2 diabetes, a condition that affects how your body converts food into energy. For most people who have diabetes and experience fatigue, it’s due to more than one cause. 

Having diabetes is stressful, and as we’ve already mentioned, chronic stress increases the feeling of tiredness. Your risk of depression is higher when you have diabetes, too. Along with those associated risks, diabetes itself can cause dehydration, which increases fatigue, or other complications like cardiovascular disease or anemia, and both can make you feel tired. 

Get help 

Although your afternoon slump may be related to your natural circadian rhythm, it could also be a sign of a hormone imbalance or an underlying health condition. Instead of guessing or worrying, schedule an appointment at A Woman’s Wellspring. 

Dr. Taylor can help you determine the cause of your daily fatigue through bloodwork, a physical examination, and a discussion of your symptoms and lifestyle. Discovering whether you need to make lifestyle adjustments or pursue treatment can make a significant difference.