If you’re like two-thirds of the population, you’ve experienced the afternoon slump. You know the feeling — it’s only 2 p.m., yet you feel drained and want to call it a day.
This drop in energy is not all in your head. It is a physiological response from your body. Fortunately, you can employ methods to reduce the slump’s frequency and to shorten its duration. When you utilize these tips, you will turn the afternoon slump into a time of increased productivity.
Drink water. Your body uses water even if you’re not exercising. If you wait until you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated and your physical and mental functioning may be impaired. Keep a water bottle handy all day.
Avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates. While a mid-afternoon candy bar may give you a quick sugar rush, it actually worsens the slump. Sugar and simple carbohydrates get absorbed immediately into the bloodstream. In response, your blood sugar rises, and your body secretes insulin to bring your sugar level back down. To avoid this, incorporate more proteins and complex carbohydrates into your diet, such as products made with whole wheat flour, brown rice, etc. They won’t trigger blood sugar highs and lows.
Eat small meals. Try having a few small meals over the course of the day instead of three large ones. When you eat a big meal in one sitting, it may overwhelm your body and cause it to work harder to digest the food. As a result, the digestive process diverts blood away from your brain and extremities and uses it in the digestive track.
Evaluate your lighting. Most offices are lit with cool, white fluorescent tubes that have a terrible effect on how people feel and function at work. A better option is full-spectrum, fluorescent tubes, as these simulate the wavelengths of sunlight.
Take walks. Walking gets your blood circulating, helps you breathe better, and stimulates your brain due to the increased blood flow. Take a 5- or 10-minute walk during the day.
Meditate. Meditation is great for clearing your thoughts. By meditating for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day, you’re keeping your mind continually energized and your body rested.
Frequent massage therapy. Needless to say, massages are great! Getting regular or even frequent, massages can work miracles for your body, mind and overall health. When you’re feeling particularly low on energy or notice more afternoon slumps, consider increasing the frequency of your massage therapy sessions.
Listen to music. Music can energize you, soothe you and has been medically proven to improve our moods. Numerous trials have shown that music can help lower heart rate, blood pressure and help relieve pain and anxiety.
Take time to breathe and stretch. Deep breathing exercises give you an energy boost by introducing fresh air into your system. Equally important are standing up and stretching. You increase blood flow in your body and stimulate the lymphatic system.
(Source: Massage & Bodywork)
