New research shows that 12 million UK workers (more than 40% of the
total UK workforce) are suffering from a form of workplace lethargy
that has been dubbed "afternoon apathy syndrome" by nutritionists,
writes Nathalie Towner.
The report, commissioned by snackbread company Ryvita with the aim
of promoting healthy eating, highlights a phenomenon that will be
all too familiar to IT professionals. It reveals that workers who
regularly lunch on heavy, high-carbohydrate meals are most likely
to suffer from afternoon apathy syndrome.
Plenty of ITers fall into this category with nearly 50% of us
choosing to eat a starchy baked potato for lunch at least once a
week and more 33% of us opting for a weekly burger or other form of
fast food. Pasta is also a popular choice, with 18% eating it for
lunch at least three times a week.
Nutritionist Fiona Hunter, one of the team behind the research,
says, "Rather than using their lunch hours to recharge and
re-energise, most Brits are eating stodgy meals that leave them
lethargic in the afternoon.
"Many people think they are boosting their energy levels by eating
high-carbohydrate lunches when in fact they are creating the
opposite effect. Heavy, high-carb meals increase levels of the
chemical serotonin in the brain that in turn leads to drowsiness.
What's more, large meals tie up our energy in the digestion process
as blood supply is directed to the stomach rather than the brain."
The study found that most people's productivity dips to its lowest
level between 3pm and 4pm, so this is probably the worst time to
reveal your stunning new ideas at the team meeting.
Surprisingly, afternoon apathy syndrome is significantly more
prevalent among women than men. Contrary to social expectations
that women are more nutritionally savvy, 35% of men report
suffering from the syndrome, compared to 52% of women. Many women
skip the midday meal altogether, with nearly 20% missing lunch at
least three times a week.
In addition, it is not just what you eat that can affect your
afternoon performance; where you take your lunch break is also a
factor. Almost 50% of the women surveyed choose to eat lunch at
their desks, while men are more likely to dine out at a cafe, pub
or restaurant.
"The fact that men are leaving their desks at lunchtime is helping
them fight the effects of afternoon apathy syndrome. Fresh air and
exercise, even if it is only a 10-minute walk to the pub, can
increase your heart and metabolic rate, causing you to feel more
alert," says Hunter.
But before you try telling your boss that your work rate will
benefit from more frequent trips down the pub, bear in mind that
alcohol is one of the worst substances for impairing performance.
Not all solutions to post-lunch lethargy involve leaving the
office. Workers can also help themselves to feel less drowsy by
snacking regularly throughout the day on foods that provide a
healthy balance of carbohydrate and protein.
Some employers in the US are so concerned by the side-effects of
heavy lunches that they have started policing what their employees
eat. Fortunately, this trend has not caught on yet in the UK, but
maybe one day your workplace could be a potato-free zone.
How to avoid energy dips
- Avoid heavy, carbohydrate-rich lunches - they increase the
level of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Serotonin
acts as a natural sedative, making you feel sleepy
- Drink a large glass of water before you start eating. It will
help fill your stomach and reduce the risk of dehydrating. It will
also prevent you from becoming dehydrated in the afternoon. Even
mild dehydration is enough to make you feel tired and
lethargic
- Avoid alcohol, it can lead to dehydration
- Make time to get up from your desk and, if possible, get a
breath of fresh air. This will help to speed up your metabolic
rate, making you feel more awake
- A cup of coffee after lunch can help keep you alert,
particularly after a heavy lunch, but remember that you should not
be drinking more than six cups of coffee a day.