How to Beat the Afternoon Slump

We’ve all been there — you’re right in the middle of a productive work afternoon when suddenly your eyes are heavy, and it’s a struggle keep your head up. Usually occurring around 2 or 3 PM, the “afternoon slump” is a phenomenon that the majority of people face every day. It can be a drain on your productivity, and if your first instinct is to reach for the caffeine or sugar, you may find it even harder to have a balanced evening and a good night’s sleep.

Instead of relying on coffee or unhealthy snacks, one of the best things you can do to beat the afternoon slump is to eat a good breakfast. It sounds cliche, but there’s science behind it. For most people, the afternoon slump is caused by low blood sugar. The only surefire way to keep your blood sugar steady all day is to eat breakfast within an hour of waking up. You need to be sure your morning meal is full of protein and healthy fat that will stay in your system to keep you alert and awake all day.

How about exercising?

Movement is the most commonly prescribed method for dealing with the afternoon slump. If you can move around for even 15 minutes, you can boost your energy for the entire afternoon. Better yet, adding upbeat music to your movement can improve your mood while you shake off the slump. Many studies suggest that moving periodically through the day helps your overall wellbeing, especially if your job involves a lot of sitting.

If you cannot have a workout for 15 minutes, try stretching instead for a couple of minutes. Stretching can improve your range of motion. It also increases circulation and helps you sleep better at night.

Are you sleep deprived?

It seems obvious, but getting a good night’s rest goes a long way to beat the slump. If you have trouble sleeping at night, optimizing your space might help you relax and drift off. If you can, block out the light with dark curtains or furniture. Try to reduce screen time an hour before you head to bed, and make sure that your bed is set up to support healthy spine alignment while you sleep.

You may want to buy soft bed sheets. One of the best ways to make a satisfied purchase is by touching the bed sheets. Check the ply of the fabric. Choose from a single ply or double ply. You may also want to learn the different types of cotton counts or thread sheet as it is a crucial factor for skin allergies.

Are you snacking?

Eating the right meals is very important. We all love to snack between meals, but snacking can easily ruin our appetite if we are not careful. Think nutrition when exploring the idea of snacking. A snack should not be boring.

Healthy grains and fruits are by far the best snacks. Remember the saying, “one apple a day keeps the doctor away?” There is a reason for it. Apples are low in calories as so many other fruits. If you are looking to spice up your fruits, you can easily add peanut butter or a healthy dip. That way you won’t feel like you are eating just fruit but something very delicious.

A few Natural ways that may help

If you’ve tried everything else, organic herbal supplements may be of help. Sea kelp helps boost your thyroid performance, which, among other things, regulates energy levels. Licorice root helps reduce the cravings for caffeine and sugar so that you don’t succumb to those late afternoon sugar crashes. Ginseng is the super ingredient that is found in many green tea blends. It helps to reduce stress, increase energy, and improve stamina. Chamomile helps relax all your body and sleep better.

Don’t sabotage your own fitness goals by relying on caffeine to get you through the day. These methods will keep you going and keep you healthy. It is all about reducing stress as well.

Sources:

http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2013/09/13/afternoon-fatigue.aspx

https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-stretching#benefits

https://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/stretching-yoga/stretching-exercises