Home LivingWellnessSleep7 tips to beat & avoid the afternoon energy slumpFeeling tired after lunch? Here’s how to avoid the afternoon energy slumpWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleep7 tips to beat & avoid the afternoon energy slumpFeeling tired after lunch? Here’s how to avoid the afternoon energy slumpWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Feeling tired after lunch? Here’s how to avoid the afternoon energy slump
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels)
(Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels)
Feeling sleepy, unmotivated or distracted in the afternoon? Well, you could be dealing with a slump or loss of energy that typically comes after your lunch break.
While it might not be a sudden crash, between 2-5pm is when people will find it harder to focus. There are many reasons that add up to you feeling drained during the afternoon, from eating a big lunch to sitting still for too long.
To stay focused, alert and motivated during the afternoon, here are 7 tips to help you beat and avoid the dreaded afternoon energy slump. Before we get into these tips, make sure you’re set-up for sleep success with thebest mattressand thebest pillow.
1. Keep hydrated
The first way to avoid the afternoon energy slump is to keep hydrated. Drinking enough water is essential to general health, brain functions and mental capabilities. If you’re dehydrated, not only will you feel more fatigued but you’ll most likely experience changes in your mood, performance and energy levels. So, if you feel yourself getting sleepy or unnecessarily irritable, try having a glass or two of water – see thebest water bottlesfor our favourite reusable options.
2. Eat healthy meals & snacks
(Image credit: Gaelle Marcel / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Gaelle Marcel / Unsplash)
3. Cut off your caffeine fix
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4. Choose your tasks wisely
Mentally draining or difficult tasks should be focused on in the morning, as we’re typically more awake during this time and it can be harder to concentrate after multiple hours of work in the afternoon. To ensure you’re working well and avoiding a major energy slump, put your easier tasks in the afternoon. If this isn’t possible, try to break down your big projects into smaller tasks so your workload is more manageable and you feel a sense of accomplishment when you tick them off your to-do list.
5. Take breaks
If you’re really struggling with motivation, take a break to keep yourself energised. This is especially important if you work in front of a computer screen, as the brightness can put further stress or strain on your eyes. In this 5-15 minute break, walk away from your desk and try to do something that relaxes and excites you. This could be getting a drink, having a quick walk around the office, chatting with a colleague, and so on. If you work from home, rather than getting comfortable on the sofa in your break, try to tackle simple tasks around the house like washing or watering the plants, or even have a quick nap – we recommend giving theNavy SEAL 8-minute nap hacka try.
(Image credit: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels)
(Image credit: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels)
6. Get outside or do light exercise
If you’re lacking in concentration and feeling a bit stressed, getting outside or partaking in some light exercise can make a world of difference to your energy levels. Fresh air is always beneficial and can help you clear your thoughts so you feel refreshed when you come back to your laptop. Light exercise like going for a walk, or stretching gets your body moving and releases endorphins so you feel more revitalised and ready to carry on with your workload.
7. Improve your sleep schedule
While these tips can massively improve your energy levels and help you avoid an afternoon slump, you need to make sure you’re getting a good night’s sleep. Getting to bed at the right time, having a good amount of hours rest, sticking to a bedtime routine, limiting screen time and sleeping on the right mattress are all factors that can help improve your sleep schedule. For more sleep tips, seehow to sleep better at night.
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