How to Get Through the Afternoon Slump

You know that feeling you get sometimes, typically after lunch, usually between 2-3:30p.m? The feeling that makes you want to do nothing but curl up in your bed and sleep?

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I work in a cubicle every single day, therefore this feeling is nothing new to me. Making “healthy” part of my office lifestyle has always been a priority of mine, so when I started to feel the effects of the dreaded “afternoon slump”, I knew that something had to be done!

Here are some quick and easy tips & tricks to help make your afternoon slump a little bit more tolerable.

6 Tips to Avoid the Afternoon Slump

Lighten up the Lunch- Do not have an extraordinarily large or carb heavy lunch. Although the afternoon slump typically hits me, no matter what I have for lunch, it is ALWAYS worse if I have a large lunch.

Instead, try to have small and healthy snacks throughout the day, along with a small to medium size lunch.

Some of my favorite morning or afternoon snacks are:

• Almonds
• Cottage cheese mixed with flax-seed
• Greek yogurt
• Rice cakes with peanut butter
• Fruit

Make sure that your lunch involves some protein (for staying power) as well as some form of vegetables, and a small amount of carbs.

Some great lunch ideas are:

• Salad with protein,veggies & light dressing: Chicken, beans, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs etc.
• Whole wheat wrap with protein & veggies: Turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado etc.
• Left Overs: Sometimes if I have extra grilled chicken or fish from the night before, I will put it in a Tupperware and save it for lunch the next day.

Drink Emergen-C- Unlike coffee, Emergen-C is full of vitamins and minerals that will boost your energy naturally.  Coffee will help you in the short-term, but after an hour you are bound to feel the dreaded crash. Plus, everyone could use a little extra boost of vitamin C this time of the year!

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Dress Up- I always try to come to work as dressed up as I can. On the days that I don’t, I can tell that my overall productivity is lower than normal. When you look your best, you also feel your best! Throw away your boring office wear and spice it up!

Same goes for makeup and hair. Even if I am sick, doing my hair and makeup generally makes me feel better.

Of course I do not walk into work dressed to the nines, nor do I do I spend hours on my hair and makeup. A little bit goes a long way, and if it makes me feel better and work better, then why not?

Ditch the Chair- I wish I worked in an office where standing up while working was an option, but unfortunately it is not. Although I can’t physically do my work standing up, I do make it a point to get up and take a walk every hour. Instead of e-mailing someone to ask them a question, I will get up to ask them. Similarly, I always use the stairs and never take the elevator.

See the Light-When I get up for periodic walks, I make it my business to walk by a window or door.  Even just a little bit of light can trick your mind into feeling more awake, as well as brightening up your mood.

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Take it Outside- Going along with “seeing the light”, going outside (even just for 5 minutes) can help your overall productivity level.

Fresh air (no matter how cold) wakes you up and can help beat the afternoon slump. Try to take a short walk during or after lunch and you will be surprised at how much better you will feel.

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How do you get through the afternoon slump?