How to beat the afternoon productivity slump

sleepy-no-productivitySo you’ve got your little one down for a nap or off to preschool, or maybe you’ve settled them with some TV or a DVD for a while.  It’s time for work, but then it hits you…the afternoon slump.

Whether you work from home or out, the afternoon slump can be a daily occurrence. Millions of people across the globe find themselves almost falling asleep at their desk half way through the day. Your brain gets foggy. Your productivity comes to a standstill. In short, the rest of the afternoon becomes a total waste of time.

While it’s frustrating, you don’t have to give in to the mid-day slump. There are easy things you can do to move past it. Here are some ideas to try –

1. Move Your Body

When you feel the mid-day slump beginning, get up from your desk immediately. Take a quick five to ten minute walk – or even a run. Do some skipping or step outside and get some fresh air.

2. Grab Some Coffee or Tea

Unless you’re extremely caffeine sensitive, this is a great time to grab a cup of coffee. However, skip the sugar and added cream or milk. Those will spike your blood sugar and cause your energy to spike and then plummet.

3. Modify Your Lunch

Does your lunch contain starchy carbohydrates and sugar? As delicious as they can be, they also cause your blood sugar levels spike and then crash. This only intensifies the afternoon slump. Good substitutions include vegetables, protein, nuts and seeds.

4. Sleep

It’s not always easy, but do you best to get enough sleep at night. Create a specific bedtime ritual for you as well as the kids!

5.  Nap 

Don’t fight it. Many people around the world take siestas or afternoon naps. It’s part of the culture. However, instead of pulling up a pillow and crashing for an hour or two, a good afternoon nap should be no more than twenty minutes. Any longer and you may have trouble waking up.

6. Eat Breakfast

Breakfast sets the tone for your day. Again, instead of going for starchy carbohydrates like bread, eat protein and fruits or veggies. If you’re in a rush in the morning, make a protein smoothie. They’re quick and easy to make. You can make them ahead of time and it’s a great way to make sure you’re getting enough fruits and veggies each day.

7.  Switch Tasks

Sometimes the afternoon slump is worsened by the activity you’re performing. A high focus task may be difficult to manage. If possible, re-work your schedule so you can manage easier tasks in the afternoon. Or, if that’s not possible, take a few minutes to step away from your current project. Check your email or make phone calls. Maybe even do some cleaning around the house? Mind you, if your house is anything like mine you’d be better to call an industrial cleaning company right now! 🙂

The mid-afternoon slump doesn’t have to be part of your day. With a few easy to implement steps, you can find energy throughout your day. Try a few of these tips and see which ones work best for you.

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