Anyone who works in an office environment will be familiar with that part of the day when your energy levels plummet and you become less productive. But when it happens, there’s little to do about it. You just have to grin and bear it and do what you can to get through to the end of the day. However, that’s not true. There are ways to get your afternoon back from that annoying drop in energy levels.
Here are our best suggestions on how to shake off the slump.
Keep a Check On What You’re Eating
That afternoon lethargy often comes half an hour or so after lunch, especially if you’ve had a proper meal rather than just grabbing a sandwich. Eating a big meal at lunchtime might be appealing but it can also mean that you feel the effects for longer in the afternoon.
Instead of picking something on the menu that’s comforting but heavy, such as a lasagna or fish and chips, go for a lighter option, such as a Caesar salad with chicken. If you find a salad isn’t filling enough, you could keep some healthy snacks at hand for later in the afternoon to give you an energy boost. Snacks that are easy to take to work and will give you that lift include yoghurt and cereal, a handful of nuts or a portion of popcorn.
Unwind With a Game or Two
Sometimes the effort of concentrating on a task for too long will make you tired. So if you feel that you’re not making any progress with the work you’re doing, find something diverting to do for five minutes. Obviously, with our phones and the internet at our disposal, there are so many different games which we can break off and play for just a few minutes at a time.
You might pick a mentally stimulating game such as Lumosity which makes you focus totally on something else for a while. The app offers games that will test your memory, attention and problem-solving against the clock.
Equally, you might prefer games that are fun and allow you to switch off completely for a few minutes. Slots games on mobile casino sites can fit the bill perfectly here. They’re easy to play yet entertaining, can be played in short sessions and may even win you a bit of cash. To try them out, you can make use of free spins no deposit UK offers at sites like mFortune. Once you find a site you enjoy playing at, you can then decide if you want to add deposit some of your own money to play with.
A Little Exercise Will Wake You Up
Sitting in the same position at your desk all day is not going to energise you – it will actually positively encourage that drowsy feeling. If you’re lucky enough to work within easy reach of a park or green space, head out of the office for ten minutes and take some time out in the fresh air.
“Dallas City Park – Dallas, Oregon” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Dougtone
If leaving the building is out of the question, you can still do some exercise to get that much-needed energy lift. Climb the stairs and do a five or ten-minute staircase workout. Of course, this is dependent on you working in a building that has stairs! You can choose to do this at walking or running pace, and that may depend on ‘under observation’ you feel in the stairwell.
If you’re not keen on exercising, you could simply do a bit of stretching of your arms and legs while seated to stimulate your muscles and shake off the sense of fatigue!
The tips above should help you push through that afternoon fatigue and be more productive for the rest of your day. But don’t forget to make sure you’re getting enough sleep at night, as that will mean you have more energy to get you through a busy day.