Girl Nap: Most people start feeling lethargic after having lunch. Many people also start taking naps while sitting in the office. At the same time, some companies globally also give their employees the opportunity to take a ‘power nap’ after lunch so that they feel fresh when they wake up. This increases their efficiency. For those living at home, the feeling of laziness after lunch is not a big deal. At the same time, this becomes a problem for those working in offices. At the same time, experts say that women feel the need for sleep after lunch more than men. This is called ‘girl nap’.
There can be many reasons for a girl’s nap. Let us know from the experts why our concentration starts getting disturbed between 3 to 5 in the afternoon i.e. shortly after lunch and why do we start feeling sleepy? At the same time, let us also try to know why women need ‘power nap’ more? The desire to take a nap after lunch starts numbing the brain. During this period, if we are doing some work then the chances of making a mistake in it increases a lot. If you are working on machine-related work or a construction site, then there is a possibility of an accident.
Why do you feel the need for a ‘power nap’ after lunch?
Studies by the National Sleep Foundation of America have said that there are two times in the day when people are at their lowest alertness. These two times fall between 2 to 7 in the morning and 2 to 5 in the afternoon. At first, most people remain lost in deep sleep. At the same time, the second phase is the most difficult. During this time you are awake and working. Actually, after lunch, digestion process takes place in our body. Additionally, insulin is released to control the amount of sugar in the blood. This leads to a natural decline in energy levels. Therefore, people feel lazy after lunch and start feeling the need for some sleep or power nap.
Laziness after lunch is called ‘postprandial dip’.
Why do women need power naps more?
Laziness after lunch is called ‘postprandial dip’. This occurs due to a drop in blood sugar levels and the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Hormones like melatonin, which are responsible for promoting sleep, also play a big role in this. All these reasons combined with a heavy meal create a desire to take a nap in the afternoon. However, hormonal fluctuations in women and especially during menstruation can increase this fatigue. Dr. Bandita Sinha, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Navi Mumbai, told The Indian Express that the progesterone hormone increases during menstruation. This hormone increases the need for women to take an afternoon nap after lunch.
Expectations are also responsible for excess sleep in women
According to sleep researchers at Labourg University of London, due to the way our brain works, women need 20 minutes more sleep than men. Studies strongly suggest that women need more sleep than men. Dr. Komal Bhadu, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Pune in Maharashtra, says that due to the complex web of hormones, menstruation and social expectations, mental fatigue of women increases. That’s why they need more sleep. According to experts, women’s higher sleep needs are related to their complex cognitive processes and multitasking roles.
Some people feel like sleeping after eating food due to rapid production of serotonin.
Serotonin hormone also causes more sleep
Although there is limited research on women’s need for more sleep, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence available. Experts say that in some people, serotonin starts getting produced rapidly after eating food. This makes them feel like sleeping. Let us tell you that serotonin hormone controls many functions of the body. This hormone also plays the role of antidepressant inside the body. According to doctors, the amount of serotonin in the body increases with protein. That is why eating things made from cheese, soybean and eggs increases the feeling of sleep. At the same time, some people may feel sleepy after lunch due to diabetes, food allergy, sleep apnea, anemia, thyroid or digestive system problems.