The 3 PM Slump: Is It Just Me or Is It Science?

I am no scientist, scientologist (lol), or someone who has researched this topic other than google searching it for a millisecond. But I have a theory.

Every day around 3 PM, it hits. That heavy, undeniable urge to take a nap (I love napping). It’s like my body is demanding a reset, and I’m left wondering: “Is it just me?”

Apparently, it’s not. Recently, I stumbled across a post explaining the “3 PM slump” as something many women experience, often linked to hormonal imbalances. For moms like me, though, I think there’s more to it—especially when there’s a napping child involved.

Hear me out—
While toddlers recharge with their afternoon nap, we’re juggling the quiet time. Should I work? Rest? Tidy up? That downtime rarely feels restorative because our minds are still racing.

Could it be that our bodies are syncing with the rhythm of our little ones? Or maybe, the exhaustion from the morning chaos finally catches up to us. Whatever it is, by the time 3 PM rolls around, I’m ready to curl up with a blanket… if only the day would let me.

Here’s also what I’ve noticed—
When My Toddler Naps: I feel the slump hit hardest. It’s like my body knows there’s finally a chance to slow down and rest, but my to-do list says otherwise (i’m a sucker for a to-do list).

On Non-Nap Days: The slump still comes, but now I’m chasing a whirlwind toddler while fighting my own exhaustion. It’s survival mode at its finest.

Yet, my child usually sleeps between 12-4:30pm. Which is prime napping time..

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I am on to something.