Healthy Living • YMCA Health and Fitness
How to counteract your afternoon energy dip
26 September 2016 - by Nicole Meredith
Feel like you lose steam and need a cat nap after lunch? These dos and don’ts will help you fight back against the two o'clock drop so you can power through your entire To Do list.
Do:
Don’t:
The best part is, abiding by these dos and don’ts will not only help you avoid the midday slump; they’re also some of the most basic steps you can take towards living a healthier life overall. By avoiding quick fixes — like napping or caffeinating as soon as you’re a bit sleepy — and investing in longer term solutions like exercise and a nutritious diet, you’re setting yourself up to feel your best every day.
Do:
- Get moving
Hitting the gym — or even just getting up from your desk and walking around the office — will give you a rush of energizing endorphins. The time-out will also give you some mental space from your work, so you can dive back in feeling refreshed and clear-headed. - Refuel
Keep nutrient-packed snacks in your desk, car, and bag so you always have something to munch on between meals. Eating as soon as you get hungry not only gives you an instant energy boost; it also helps maintain a steady weight. - Change things up
Trying to plough through an entire project all in one go is exhausting. If your To Do list is so long that a total break would only stress you out, move on from item #1 on your list and get started on #2. The variety and new challenge will keep you feeling stimulated and productive.
Don’t:
- Have another coffee
The caffeine will give you an instant rush of energy, but this dissipates quickly and makes your energy levels plummet even harder in an hour or so. (Try green tea instead for some all-natural stimulation packed with cholesterol-cutting antioxidants.) - Take a nap
Even if you work from home and technically could nap, you won’t sleep long enough to get the deep, restorative rest you need, and you’ll disrupt your sleep schedule, making it harder for you to get that high quality shut eye at night. Taking a cat nap today likely means you’ll be even more tired tomorrow.
The best part is, abiding by these dos and don’ts will not only help you avoid the midday slump; they’re also some of the most basic steps you can take towards living a healthier life overall. By avoiding quick fixes — like napping or caffeinating as soon as you’re a bit sleepy — and investing in longer term solutions like exercise and a nutritious diet, you’re setting yourself up to feel your best every day.
