Should You Sleep Right After Eating?
Leaving 2 to 3 hours between eating and sleeping is better. Lying down straight after a meal gives many people heartburn and a heavy feeling.
The short answer: no. It is better to stay upright for at least 2 to 3 hours after eating, mainly because lying down lets stomach acid travel upwards and cause heartburn.
What lying down straight away does
- Heartburn and sour belching
- A heavy, full feeling
- Sleep that keeps breaking
- A burning or sore throat, particularly in the morning
When to eat dinner
Late dinners are common in India, but earlier is better. If you sleep at 11, eating between 8 and 8:30 is a realistic target. When it does run late, keep it light — khichdi, dalia, or roti and sabzi rather than anything fried.
What about an afternoon nap?
A short nap is a different matter. Twenty to thirty minutes refreshes most people, as long as it is not immediately after eating and does not run long. Taken twenty minutes later, after a short walk, it troubles very few people.