Five Brilliant Ways To Beat The Afternoon Slump

Five brilliant ways to beat the afternoon slump... and they REALLY work!

It really doesn't matter whether you work in an office, work from home, are a stay at home parent, whatever... chances are it'll get to 3pm and the mid-afternoon energy slump hits.

You just want to curl up and go to sleep and only a gallon of caffeine is going to pull you through, right?

Well.... we've got five tried and tested ways to help boost your energy and mood without reaching for the caffeine... or falling into bed!

blonde woman in her 40's with head resting on a grey desk surface, hair falling all around her face, she's wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt.

How to beat the afternoon slump

1. Eat well balanced meals and snacks

blue and white bowl filled with homemade hummus topped with toasted pine nuts alongside carrot and cucumber batons. — **get the recipe**

The mid afternoon slump is going to affect you a lot less if you've not got a sugar crash. Think about what you're eating - opt for slow burning meals - eat a healthy breakfast - try sugar free granola bowl with Greek yogurt and fruit. Or opt for eggs on wholegrain toast.

Choose a healthy mid morning snack - oatcakes with peanut butter, fruit or malt loaf are all slow burning and filling.

At lunch don't eat a big carbohydrate heavy meal, it'll just make you sleepy. Choose - big mixed salads, lots of slow burning grains and beans, lean protein and loads of vegetables. Make healthy dessert choices - yogurts, fruit and nuts.

falafel pitta lunch bowl — **get the recipe**

If you do choose to snack in the afternoon - again, make it a slow burning snack, don't stuff yourself with sugary empty calories. If you really fancy some chocolate - choose a dark chocolate and just eat a few squares.

2. Stay hydrated

Keeping well hydrated always stops me feeling tired and sleepy - just makes me more alert and less likely to get a headache. Try to skip the caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or if you do choose to drink them, opt for tea rather than coffee as there's much less caffeine content, which can interfere with how well you sleep at night.

3. Get some fresh air

You might work in an environment where getting outdoors is not an option - but if it is - then get out! Spending your lunch hour outside not only gets you some exercise but also fresh air and natural light and they're both brilliant for wellbeing and generally feeling good.

If you can't get outside then open up some windows a change of air is uplifting and adds a little energy.

4. Move about - get some exercise

Preferably get outside and take a walk - this will really wake you up and add a little energy boost to your day. Or try options such as workplace yoga, stretches you can do at your desk, or even look at working stood up for periods of time - this boosts health and wellbeing.

If you work from home then around 3pm is a great time to turn up the music and dance around - throw yourself into it - even if it's just for 5 minutes - it's a break and an energy boost in one go.

5. Get a good nights sleep

a cup of soothing turmeric milk drink - in a dark blue cup on a dark blue saucer, being stirred with a vintage silver teaspoon with note next to cup saying sleep tight - drink me before bed

Well... obviously you'll be a whole lot less tired in the afternoon if you get a good nights sleep - try our 5 ways to help you sleep better at night here.