Beating the drowsy 'post-lunch dip'

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Avoiding the so-called "post-lunch dip," is a challenge some workers struggle with on a daily basis. It's the overwhelming desire to sleep during the early afternoon, particularly after lunch. Doctors say that several factors can trigger such slumps.

"If we're already sleep deprived, we're probably going to feel a little bit more of that crash in the afternoon more than regularly," the Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Tina Waters said. "It doesn't necessarily have to do a lot with what we're eating."

But doctors also say if your lunch is high in fat and carbs, the urge to sleep can be compounded. A 20-minute power nap is ideal, but for most workers sleeping on the job is not an option.