It’s 3pm and your eyes are heavy, your energy has plummeted and all you can think about it taking a nap.
Before you make yourself a coffee or reach for a sugary snack, try these tips to avoid that afternoon slump recommended by The National Sleep Foundation (2020):
- Have an energising snack: Food is energy so it makes sense to eat something to make you feel more alert. Go for something healthy that will give you instant energy but also give you a boost until dinner time such as carrots and celery sticks dipped in hommus, cheese cubes, an apple or peanut butter.
- Avoid coffee: You might be tempted, but caffeine this late in the day can impact your night’s sleep. Go for green tea instead – it has less caffeine and is packed with antioxidants.
- Refill the water bottle: Being dehydrated can make you feel more sluggish than normal, so keep a water bottle close by and try to reach at least 2L per day.
- Go for a quick walk outside: This increases your heart rates (boosting your energy) as well as exposes you to sunlight which helps you feel more alert.
- Try a quick fix: When all else fails, do something that you typically do in the morning like washing your face, brushing your teeth or changing your shirt. You can even try smelling something energising, like citrus, peppermint, rosemary or eucalyptus.