By Dee Jones
At some time after noon (maybe around 2 or 3 p.m.) you start to feel sluggish and rundown. It gets harder and harder to focus or concentrate. And all the stuff you still have to do that day starts to loom over you like a dark, impossible cloud.
Yep, you’ve been hit by the dreaded “afternoon slump.”
For some people, the solution to the afternoon slump is a big cup of strong coffee. And a shot of caffeine can give you a quick energy boost. But the boost is only temporary. In a few hours you’ll crash from the caffeine high, and end up feeling more tired than you did before you drank the coffee.
You can delay the crash by guzzling one caffeinated drink after another. But that can lead to lots of sleepless nights, which will make your problems with afternoon slumps even worse.
Fortunately, there are other ways to beat back the afternoon slump. And they won’t keep you up at night.
Take a Multi-Vitamin Every Day
Taking a multivitamin every morning can help prevent a slump in the afternoon.
Maybe you try to get all the vitamins and minerals you need from the foods you eat. But you can make sure all, of your basis are covered by taking a good multivitamin every day.
When your body has all of the nutrients it needs, you will stay energized throughout the day. You’ll also find it easier to focus and concentrate. Meaning you’ll get your work done faster, and won’t get distracted as easily.
Now choosing the right multivitamin can be tricky. There are just so many options. You can get multivitamins made for women, for men, for pregnant women, or for people with poor eyesight. There are even multivitamins especially designed to give you more energy.
Choose your multivitamin based on your specific needs. If you’re a man over 50, choose a vitamin for men over 50. If you’re concerned about heart health, choose a multivitamin that promotes heart health.
Whatever multivitamin you choose, take a look at the Supplement Facts on the label. You want a multivitamin that has 100% Daily Value (or DV) of as many essential vitamins and minerals as possible. But don’t expect the vitamin to have 100% DV of all of them.
For example, most multivitamins won’t have a 100% DV of calcium because in the result would be a pill too big to swallow.
Luckily, the foods you eat can make up for anything your multivitamin lacks.
Drink Lots Water
Drinking plenty of water has many benefits. It helps you feel more energized. It helps you stay alert. It can even improve your concentration.
If you’re feeling rundown and listless, dehydration could be the culprit. In fact, if you’re thirsty, that means you’re already dehydrated. If possible, drop what you’re doing right now and go get yourself something to drink.
When the afternoon slump hits, you’d be amazed what a difference drinking a glass or two of cold water can make. It’s also good idea to drink some water before you do any work that gives your brain a workout. Whether you’re writing a report or preparing your taxes, drinking some water will make the job easier. You’ll also get better results.
There’s really no substitute for drinking water. But drinking other beverages (like milk, juice, decaffeinated soda, or decaffeinated iced tea) will also help to keep you hydrated. But avoid drinks that contain caffeine, which contributes to dehydration.
Choose the Right Snacks
Having a light snack when you start to feel run down can give you an afternoon energy boost.
The trick is not to snack on anything too heavy. A heavy snack can make you feel even more tired and sluggish. And that would defeat the purpose of eating a snack to boost your energy.
What kinds of foods should you snack on mid-day? Well, when it comes to energy boosters, sweet is good. But you want snacks that are naturally sweet, like fruits and berries. Avoid snacks that are sweet thanks to processed sugars, like candy bars or glazed donuts.
Fruits like apples and bananas are good, quick energy boosters. They’re also convenient.
First, they don’t take much time to prepare. All you have to do is peel your banana or cut your apple, and you can start snacking.
Secondly, you can eat most fruits with one hand. And that will leave the other hand free to hold a pen or operate your computer mouse.
Fruit isn’t the only thing that can give you an energy boost. Here are some other energy-boosting snacks that are easy to prepare:
- A fruit salad made with fresh fruits and berries.
- Yogurt with granola sprinkled on top.
- Peanut butter spread on whole grain crackers.
When it’s 2 p.m. and you still have a couple of hours of work ahead of you, there’s nothing worse than getting hit by the afternoon slump. Luckily, taking a multivitamin every day can help prevent the mid-day crash. And, if you do need a boost, drinking some water and having the right snack can give you the energy you need to get through the rest of your day.
What are your favorite remedies for the afternoon slump?
