LIFE+ Blog

It’s 3 o’clock, you had a big lunch, and your eyelids are getting heavy. You’re thinking, “All I need is a 20 minute power nap and I’ll be good.” But guess what. You’re in America. We don’t get siestas here.Before you go for that coffee or sugary snack, here are some better strategies that will keep you more energized through your afternoon.

AVOID THE SLUMP:

Get a good night’s sleep

The best way to get over a slump is to avoid it all together. So stop binge-watching Breaking Bad on Netflix or Real Housewives or wherever is on your DVR until 2 in the morning.
It is currently recommended to have seven to nine hours of nightly sleep for healthy adults. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends seven to eight hours, including the elderly. Most current guidelines say school-age children should get at least 10 hours of sleep a night, and teenagers, nine to 10.

Don’t skip breakfast!

Passing on this meal may lead to that afternoon crash. When I say eat breakfast, I mean eat something healthy. Donuts and Starbucks pastries don’t count (even though they may taste good…)
A study at Loughborough University (U.K.) found that skipping breakfast can lead to a dip in athletic performance later in the day reducing the effectiveness of daily workouts.

Eat small, nutritious meals throughout the day and a smaller lunch.

Stick with meals that are higher in healthy proteins and avoid heavy carbs. Salad with grilled chicken….good. Cali burritos….bad. (When I say bad, I mean bad for your body, but can be good for your soul)

Here is a recipe for a quick & easy salad to make for a light and simple lunch!

Skip the booze

I know throwing back a few at happy hour with you coworkers or taking body shots late night somewhere in downtown Fullerton sounds like a good idea but it’s not.
Tiredness can often be attributed to lifestyle factors, such as drinking too much alcohol, or having a bad diet. If you drink alcohol in the evening, it tends to wake you in the middle of the night. If you drink a lot regularly, it can make you depressed and affect your sleep

source: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/tiredness-and-fatigue/Pages/why-am-I-tired.aspx

IF THE SLUMP HITS YOU:

Go for a brisk walk

You live in California. It’s sunny here every day. Getting outside, getting some exercise, and getting some sunlight will help keep you more alert later in the day. If you can’t get outside, take a hot lap around the office.

TALK to your coworkers

Instead of sending an email or a text to your coworker down the hall, get up and talk to somebody. Face-to-face conversation is a disappearing art. Stop conversing through emails, texts, meme’s and emoji’s and get up!

Stretch

You’ve been sitting at your desk for hours. Doing some stretches can give you a quick boost. If you can’t get up and stretch, here are some stretches you can do at your desk.

Declutter your desk and empty out your email inbox

Mess at the desk can really bog you down. Cleaning up your desk and email is great way to feel productive and organized.

Perform feats of strength

Do some dips in your chair. See how many pushups you can do in a minute.

It’s common to experience the midday slump once in a while, but if you’re experiencing it daily, try some of these tips and see if you can reverse it into a more energizing experience!

Want More Tips?

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