How much energy do you have in the afternoon? If you are reading this then it is possible that you are experiencing the famous afternoon slump like many others. You probably wished you had more energy in the afternoon, especially when you are at work/school or when you have a lot of other things to do. I give you my best tips to fight the afternoon slump, so you have enough energy all day long.
Tips to fight the afternoon slump
1. Stay active
When you have an office job or go to school, you probably are sitting most of the day. Which is not great when you want to avoid the afternoon slump. Have you ever noticed when you have a lot of energy? I have and I can 100% tell you that my energy levels are the highest when I am being active or when I am in a super good mood. If you want to fight the afternoon slump, you should be more active. Go out when you have a break from work/school and walk around the block. Exercising is not only good for getting more energy, but you will also have a better focus and can improve your mood. There are so many reasons to stay active throughout the day.
2. Drink enough water throughout the day
How much water do you drink? When you forgot to drink enough water (which is around 2-3L per dag), you will notice it very soon. You will be less focused and will feel more tired. Drinking enough water can help you to stay awake. It can really make a difference. If you feel a bit tired, drink a cup of water and wait a few minutes if it gets better.
Symptoms of not drinking enough water:
– Feeling thirsty.
– Dark yellow and strong-smelling pee.
– Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
– Feeling tired.
– A dry mouth, lips and eyes.
– Headache
If you have any of these symptoms, try to drink water first.
3. Get outside
Not getting enough daylight can make you more tired too. You probably have more energy in summer than in winter, that has something to do with the amount of daylight you’re getting. In summer you get home and you can still sit outside and get enough daylight, but in winter it is different. When you get home from work or school, it is already dark. It is harder to get enough daylight in the winter. That is why I really can recommend going outside on your break. You will also sleep better when you get enough daylight every day.
4. Eat something
Sometimes you have a dip because you didn’t eat enough in the morning or during lunch. Eat a snack between your lunch and dinner. Food gives you that little bit of extra energy you can really use. But be careful. There is also a thing called sugar dip. When you just eat a lot of candy, your blood sugar levels go sky high, which will give you more energy but after that, your blood sugar levels will drop hard and will make you feel even more tired. Eat the right kind of food.
5. Get into a flow
When you constantly think you’re tired and you can’t work like this then you are making it worse. If I am in a good flow, I suddenly have a lot of energy. Try to get into flow too. Getting in a flow means that you are focused on one thing at a time and you are not distracted by anything (not even by your overthinking). When you are in a flow, time flies by before you know it. Which is also a good thing when you really want to go home.
6. Take a nap
If it is possible, I can also recommend taking a nap. I am talking about a nap of 20 minutes or something, not hours. Taking a nap or just resting for half an hour max, can really give you a lot more energy. I personally feel like a different person when I wake up again after my short nap. I suddenly have a lot of energy and motivation again. Sometimes it is better to take a nap than keep going. Taking a nap will give you more energy and better focus. You will be more productive again. In some cultures, it is considered normal to take a nap in the afternoon.
Photo by Mel Elías on Unsplash