It’s 2.00pm or 3.00pm and you’ve been full steam ahead all morning. Now’s the time where you hit that afternoon slump. Sound familiar? That time where you feel you’ve hit a brick wall and can’t concentrate on a single thing. It’s all too familiar in the work environment and it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are a few tips on how you can beat it.

1. Say no to sugar

At 3.00pm when we’re feeling sleepy, we’ll often reach for a packet of lollies or the block of chocolate which is hiding in the desk drawer. Although it may temporarily give you an energy boost, and whilst I am not a dietician, there has been plenty of research completed on how it can actually end up making you feel worse. It will give you an instant hit, but will be followed by another slump as your blood sugar levels lower drastically. Opt for a healthier snack instead. Did I hear protein?

2. Take a break

You don’t need to take another hour’s lunch break, I’m sure your boss wouldn’t particularly appreciate that anyway! All you may need is to step away from your computer screen for five minutes. Need to photo copy/scan something? Now’s the time to do it. Does your work area need a bit of organisation? Points go to those who do something useful while stepping away from the desk. Just take a few minutes to stand up and get the blood flowing again.

3. Choose smarter lunch options

Have you ever overeaten at lunch time? Me too. What’s not so great is when it happens in the middle of a work day and disrupts you from doing your job. So to avoid that, try having a lighter lunch. No, this doesn’t mean starving yourself. Just choose healthier options and eat real food. You could even try making your own lunch instead of buying it. Often our bodies will hit a slump when we’re trying to digest a big meal.

4. Hydrate

We can often feel a little sleepy when we are dehydrated. Buy yourself a water bottle and keep it on your desk.

5. Prioritise Sleep

It’s time to give up the 11.00pm bedtime and to prioritise your sleep! Whilst this is not always achievable for those with children, it’s suggested you need to average 8 to 10 hours per night or least try. Give yourself a little while to really see the benefits. You’ll notice an improvement in energy, productivity and even your mood. The afternoon slump is extremely common, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, it’s not actually supposed to be like that. Many health experts would argue that society has just normalised it when in reality, it’s a sign that something else is going on in the body. Choose healthier options and try implementing some of these tips.