Sometimes we all need a little extra oomph in the day to get us through. Whether you’re at the office or on an adventure you’ll want to improve your energy levels so that mid-day slump doesn’t creep up on you.
Whenever that slump kicks in it can affect your focus and productivity. So, in this article, we’ll explain what a mid-day slump is, what happens in your body, and 12 tips on how to improve your energy levels.
Let’s get to it!
What is a Mid-Day Energy Slump?
Have you ever felt like you hit a wall after your lunch break? You’re yawning, craving a nap, your eyes glaze over, and at this point, you have zero capability to focus. If this sounds familiar then you’ve definitely experienced a drop in your energy levels. This feeling of sleepy sluggishness is commonly referred to as a mid-day “energy slump”.
Have you ever thought to yourself, “why is my energy level so low?” Well, there are several causes to the afternoon sleepies. It could be as simple as frequently not getting enough sleep or dehydration. Your afternoon slump could also be from poor diet, high levels of stress, or a number of metabolic disorders.
How to Improve Energy Levels (12 Tips)
Few things are worse than walking into an afternoon meeting and slowly feeling your energy drain away. Thankfully, there are several tips that’ll help you beat the afternoon energy slump!
1. Drink more water
Drinking adequate amounts of water can also help to improve your energy levels.
2. Movement
Getting up and moving around if possible will go a long way towards making you feel more awake. There are several office exercises for beating the afternoon slump.
3. Eat
Try eating foods that are low on the glycemic index. This includes nuts like hazelnuts, almonds, and cashews, and seeds such as like sunflower, pumpkin, or chia.
Low glycemic index foods release sugar slower over a longer period of time. This provides a steady stream of energy.
4. Increase your magnesium
Magnesium is responsible for several key functions in the body including breaking down glucose into energy. Therefore, low magnesium often means low energy.
A lack of magnesium can lead to serious health concerns especially among women (such as higher heart rates).
To combat low magnesium, add a handful of nuts like hazelnuts or almonds and eat more fish.
5. Reduce stress
Stress can wear the body down both mentally and physically. This continual wear can eat away at your energy levels. Include more relaxing activities in your day like tips six through ten.
6. Meditate
You may think meditation is for relaxing and going to sleep but there’s something incredibly energizing about meditation that makes you feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the day. This is likely due to the controlled breathing utilized throughout the exercise.
The best part about it is that it only requires 10 to 15 minutes of your time to do. Use your afternoon break for a bit of meditation or part of your lunch if you’re already feeling the slump coming on.
7. Listen to music
Music can inspire and motivate. Just think of the iconic movie Rocky when he runs up those stairs and the music starts playing. Or think of every high school football band playing the final countdown. While it can spire and motivate you it can also keep you awake.
Participating in the song is key. Whether it’s tapping your foot or nodding your head to the beat the action will significantly increase your energy levels.
8. Get outside
Being outside and taking time to “stop and smell the roses” so to speak is a great energy lifter. If you can’t go to “the woods” a park will do just fine. Find a bench and sit back and relax. Just enjoy the fresh air and the sites. You will find yourself feeling energized and refreshed afterward!
9. Laugh
Have you ever heard, “laughter is the best medicine?” It can help relieve pain as well as stress. Studies also show that laughing is a great way to boost energy levels.
So, take 10 minutes to watch YouTube, Facebook, or Tiktok videos. Go to the space that makes you laugh every time and hang out there. You’ll notice you feel lighter and more alert afterward.
10. Sing
Singing requires strong breath control. If you’re at work, go to your vehicle and belt it out to your favorite pumped up song. Like listening to music, this will increase your energy levels dramatically!
11. Sit up straighter
When we get tired our bodies tend to “droop” or slouch more. By concentrating on sitting up it tells our bodies we are to be alert.
12. Blink more
If your day job requires you to look at a computer most of the day, chances are you’re not blinking much. Studies show that most people who work on a computer for extended periods of time only blink about half the time they normally would.
A great way to combat this is by following the rule of 20. Every 20 minutes you look away from your computer and find a space or spot that is about 20 feet away and stare at it for 20 seconds.
Et Voilà!
Bye-Bye Mid-Day Slump
Avoid the mid-day energy slump by drinking more water throughout the day, maintaining proper nutrition, and having the right snacks. Snacks like chocolate, hazelnuts (or chocolate-covered hazelnuts), and avocados are just a few foods that can help improve energy levels.
Be sure to share this article with your office friends so everyone can feel sufficiently energized and ready to take on whatever happens during the workday! While you’re at it, share a bag of hazelnuts with them!
