Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Ever feel tired just after lunch? It's not food coma, it's your body's rhythms.
As the day goes on, we get further from the last time we slept. This creates what scientists call "sleep pressure."
Meanwhile, your circadian rhythm is making you more alert. It peaks at the end of the day, then drops like a rock at bedtime.
When do these two systems cross over? The early afternoon. It's been a while since you slept, but your circadian rhythm hasn't yet made you alert.
Looks like cultures around the world take an afternoon nap for good reason.
Ever feel tired just after lunch? It's not food coma, it's your body's rhythms.
As the day goes on, we get further from the last time we slept. This creates what scientists call "sleep pressure."
Meanwhile, your circadian rhythm is making you more alert. It peaks at the end of the day, then drops like a rock at bedtime.
When do these two systems cross over? The early afternoon. It's been a while since you slept, but your circadian rhythm hasn't yet made you alert.
Looks like cultures around the world take an afternoon nap for good reason.
