This has been a problem on and off for several years. Never too severe, at its worst I’ll be watching a movie or a basketball game on TV, I’ll get real comfortable, and the next thing you know I’m dozing off. I feel like I have no control over it.
I don’t want to drink massive amounts of caffeine, which I’m sure would work, because that would mess up my sleep big time.
Any tips on how to deal with this?
Are you getting enough sleep at night? I know a guy who stays up for the late shows, gets up at O’Darkthirty to drive > 1 hr to be at work by 0700 (so he has time to “do stuff” after work) then wonders why he can’t stay awake when we see movies after work some days.
How old are you? This is a natural side effect of aging, IMO. Especially after eating, and getting warm and cozy under a throw. My ‘blankie’ acts like a sleeping pill.
This will sound stupid, but get more sleep! 
If that doesn’t do the trick, you can do what I have forced my daughter into doing these days since she can never make it through a movie…If it is a movie you want to see, do not lay down. If you are all nice and comfy, switch positions until you are not- just a little irritation should be enough to keep you from drifting off.
If it’s not a movie you are really wanting to see…then enjoy your nap.
Happens to me all the time . . . though you’re probably younger than I am. It’s one of the reasons I have Tivo, and never watch anything live except the news.
I guess it depends on how old you are to an extent, but I’ve also heard that if you can’t sit down for a while without falling asleep, there may be something wrong with you. A couple of things off the top of my head- sleep apnea, diabetes, low thyroid… maybe an appointment with your doctor wouldn’t hurt?
My experience supports Alice the Goon’s comments, Plan B. Especially if your sleepiness follows eating, and especially if that eating is carb-heavy.
This is not medical advice.
Mid-fifties, but this first happened a long time ago.
In terms of getting more sleep I think that may be part of the problem/solution, but it’s not the whole thing. If I were to start playing handball at 8 PM I could go till midnite 99 out of 100 nights. If I watch a nice comfortable show, it’s more like 50/50.
About the discomfort thing…I’m going to try that tonight. I’m going to try to watch basketball on TV standing up. I bet that will work, and I’ll get more sleep tonight in bed.
I’m in perfect health otherwise, never get sick, great endurance. The sleep apnea thing is a possibility, maybe it deserves its own thread.
I’ve been married 30 years. On my first trip to meet my wife’s family, by 9:00 p.m. her, her father, mother, sister and brother were all asleep on the couch. My new brother-in-law and I just looked at each other, thinking “what now?”
If you’re one of those people who bustles around all day, my guess would be you’re pumping adrenalin. When you settle in and relax, it stops and you fold. Otherwise, the only suggestion I have is, don’t get to comfortable. Stand up and walk around during the commercial breaks.