3 Tips for Surviving an Afternoon Slump

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Struggling to keep alert in the afternoon is something A LOT of us deal with. We get tired and lose focus when the afternoon rolls in. Some of us reach for a cup of coffee to get through the rest of our days. Some take naps. Others just struggle and barely make it and wonder how productive their afternoon really was later in the day.

But you don’t want it this way. You wish you had more energy in the afternoon to power through. Just something so it wouldn’t be such a struggle.

What if I told you there are some things you can do to help you get over that afternoon low and it’s not coffee? Would you believe me? What if I told you there were things you could do that didn’t take much effort from you? Well, keep on reading and discover what I have found to be the best ways to overcome the afternoon slump.

I have struggled, usually resulting in drinking coffee or an afternoon nap. I have taken naps that have led me to feel worse than I did before I napped. That wasn’t working for me. So, I set out on a quest to try other ways to not struggle so much in the afternoon.

 

Here are the three ways that I have found to have the biggest impact on my wakefulness in the afternoon.

 

 

Keep Yourself Hydrated

 

Are you drinking enough water? That’s a very important thing to consider if you’re feeling tired during the day. Most times, when we are sleepy in the middle of the day, it’s because we’re dehydrated.

I used to not drink enough water. I would usually get about 30 ounces in a day. Until I finally listened to my husband who kept telling me I wasn’t drinking enough water. He’d say drink more and you will feel better and your skin will thank you. He was right, I do feel better!

Each day, I make it a goal to drink 60 to 90 ounces of water a day. I realized that by keeping myself hydrated, I wasn’t getting tired when the afternoon rolled in.

Now, if you are wondering how much water you should drink, here is a general rule. Ideally, everyone should drink at least half their weight in ounces. For example, a 150-pound person would need to drink at least 75 ounces of water in a day. When living in warmer climates or exercising, consider drinking more water.

 

 

 

 

If water is difficult for you to find time to drink or you simply don’t like the taste, here are some hydrating foods that will help too. According to Health.com, these nine foods are the most hydrating foods you can eat.

Cucumbers have the highest water content of any solid food. Slice them up and enjoy them in a salad or with some hummus.

Iceberg lettuce has the highest water content of any lettuce although not as healthy as darker greens.

Celery is high in water and very low in calories – just six calories per stalk.

Radishes are packed with some powerful antioxidants.

Tomatoes. Pick up some grape or cherry tomatoes for a yummy, hydrating snack, or enjoy them in a salad.

Bell peppers are great for snacking. Just slice some up and munch on them while cooking or waiting for dinner.

Cauliflower is packed with nutrients that help lower cholesterol and fight cancer.

Watermelon has more cancer-fighting lycopene than tomatoes. You can add watermelon cubes to iced cold water for a refreshing treat.

Spinach goes great on sandwiches and salads. These leafy greens are rich in lutein, potassium, fiber, and folate.

Each of these foods has at least 90% water by weight. Snack on any of these to keep yourself hydrated if drinking water isn’t your thing.

 

Get Up and Move

 

When the afternoon is really getting to you and you need a quick pick me up, try getting up and moving. Try walking around where you’re at, walk up and down a flight of stairs if that’s an option, or go outside if weather permits. Just get up and move.

If possible, getting fresh air is your best option. It will do wonders for waking up your senses. No matter what though, any way you can get up to move will benefit you.

 

 

Rest Your Eyes

 

My mom used to do this daily. She’d say she just needed to rest her eyes for a few minutes or take a quick five-minute power nap and she’d be all better. I never got it when I was younger. I used to think how do five minutes do anything for you. Now I get it. That’s all I need to feel more alive. Just a break, rest my eyes, or nap for 5 minutes, nothing longer. It will really help you if you only do it for a short amount of time.

If I’m really struggling to get through my day, I’ll usually take the quick nap option. But I always keep it brief and that’s just enough to get me through my day.

One other thing to note is by taking an afternoon nap that is long (say 30 minutes or more), will typically be worse on you. You could wake up groggy and not really feel the best the rest of the day. Or you could feel guilty for sleeping too long when you have so many other things you should be doing. The key is, take a quick nap or just rest your eyes, but keep it short.

 

 

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Start Today

 

Stop struggling to get through your day. Remember. Drink some water or eat a hydrating snack to get some energy.

Get up and move if you feel tired. Getting fresh air is best if you can get outside.

Take a break if you still feel exhausted. Sometimes, that’s all you really need in life if you’re running in every direction.

Find what works for you and use it. Help yourself in those afternoons when you just need something extra to get you through your day.

 

What do you struggle with most in your day? Let me know in the comments!