24 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Used to have this bad - to the point where I thought it was a sleep disorder.  It turned out that it was more what and how much I was eating at lunch than the underlying problem of sleep.  I now eat my lunch at my desk and consciously take 1-2 hours to finish it (ie eating as I go).  This causes less of a spike in your blood sugar and consequently less sleepiness.  I would also set a post-lunch alarm; something like every 30 minutes for the first hour after lunch, you have to do a quick lap around the office. I do mean quick - no need to sprint like a madman but point is to get your heart up a little.  Then after the first hour, do it once an hour for the next two and hopefully that gets you over the hump.

 

Some good advice here. Also running up a floor or two on the stairs is good if you are allowed to access them. Gets your heart going and nobody is there to look at you weird.

 

Ah, the infamous post-lunch slump! You're not alone, my friend. Here are a few tips that might help you combat that afternoon drowsiness:

1) Try to eat a balanced lunch: Avoid heavy, carb-loaded meals that can make you feel sluggish. Opt for a mix of lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and veggies.

2) Stay hydrated: Dehydration can often be mistaken for fatigue. Make sure you're drinking enough water throughout the day.

3) Take a quick walk: If you can, take a short stroll after lunch. It can help get your blood flowing and shake off any sleepiness.

4) Limit caffeine: It might be tempting to reach for a cup of coffee when you're feeling tired, but it can disrupt your sleep later in the night. Try to limit your caffeine intake to the morning hours.

5) Sneak in a power nap: If your schedule allows, a quick 20-minute power nap can do wonders for your energy levels. Just make sure not to oversleep, as it can leave you feeling groggy.

Remember, it's all about finding what works best for you. Try out different strategies and see how your body responds. Good luck!

Sources: How Do You Deal With the BB Sweatshop Hours?, What happens if you fall asleep on the job?, How do you stay productive?, Dealing with Sleep Deprivation in Banking?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I struggle with this heavy. I don’t eat breakfast so typically hound through a bowl (think chipotle) pretty quickly. recently started getting a lighter lunch and taking longer to eat it, and feel much better.

 

OMAD at dinner or just have a veggie salad at lunch and skip breakfast unless you workout in the morning.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Aside from eating less during lunch and getting better sleep, you should try drinking cups of hot water throughout the day.

That will get you walking to the kitchen and bathroom about every hour, but that extra stimulus gets you more walking steps.  The hot water also curbs your appetite.

Next, if you can still stay focused on your work, listening to music on your earbuds.  You might try foreign music where you don’t understand the lyrics, but still enjoy the beat. 

Have compassion as well as ambition and you’ll go far in life. I am interested in digital immortality. Check out my blog at digitalimmortality.com
 

everyone in this thread who is advising you to just drink more coffee is a fucking idiot

Hello Wall Street, It’s Yours Truly. If you don’t see it here, I didn’t say it. Former Buffalo Bills Tailback / 1973 NFL MVP / 1968 Heisman Trophy Winner / 5x All Pro
 

OMAD worked for me, keeps you in shape through banking and efficient during the day. I'd take a lunch break if it was a slow day etc. 

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
 

Architecto voluptas vitae sunt tenetur. Nam ad eum explicabo sequi. Deserunt omnis voluptas voluptates laboriosam.

Ad sint aspernatur dolor sit qui quaerat est illum. At aut sit et et repudiandae sunt delectus. Quis repellat numquam dolores beatae.

Natus molestias voluptas temporibus libero voluptatem. Velit eum eaque autem est nisi. Sint et tempora qui tempore. Perspiciatis sint autem et magnam. Ut quis laudantium cupiditate quibusdam nisi similique. Autem labore sit rerum voluptatum omnis velit.

Nam qui incidunt nostrum nobis delectus facilis. Voluptatem natus saepe sed laudantium quia fugiat. Ut cumque beatae laborum ipsam sint omnis ea. Ut voluptas at voluptate asperiores et voluptatum est possimus. Odio dolore voluptas qui.

 

Iusto consequatur possimus quas tenetur aut. Aspernatur laudantium necessitatibus facere tempora. Fugiat consectetur ab in perspiciatis.

Corrupti deleniti tempore consequatur laboriosam. Culpa quis id voluptatem voluptatem eligendi consequatur dolor praesentium. Cumque quae eum officiis eos recusandae voluptatem. Ipsa sit sapiente voluptatem suscipit ea eveniet.

Eum et debitis in reprehenderit non et quam quo. Autem molestias ea distinctio ut suscipit adipisci delectus. Dolor amet eligendi qui quod minima et eos. Beatae in et eaque aliquid. Voluptatem earum veritatis et minus velit repudiandae quidem.

[Comment removed by mod team]

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”