Hello Slump
In the Local Health section of the Sunday June 14, 2015 edition of the Courier Journal by Rachael Beyer, I stumbled upon a helpful article that I thought I would share with you. The article discusses a problem that I have battled with through school and in my professional career, the midday slump. This is where I am going along in my workday and in the middle of the afternoon, I hit a wall. I can hardly concentrate, I feel like I could use a nap, and I become less productive.
Slump Prevention
The author of this article discusses ways to prevent the midday slump that I find are useful in making it through the afternoon.
Get plenty of sleep
It seems that everything I read nowadays doctors are saying that a common contributing factor to various health conditions is lack of sleep. Cutting back on your zzz’s puts you at risk of heart disease and diabetes to affecting mood and energy levels.
Breakfast of Champions
Eating a balanced breakfast including protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates and fiber will give you the energy you need to have a good start to the day. This will also decrease spikes and dips because of sugar levels that are too high or too low.
A Balanced Lunch
Just like having a well-balanced breakfast, you will need to have the same variation at lunch time to give you the fuel to burn through the afternoon.
Hydrate Yourself
Drowsiness can be an effect of dehydration so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Still Yawning?
Sometimes even with our best efforts we still get that slump for whatever reason. If you feel the slump coming on, try these tools to break out of the dull drums.
Move
Take a break from your task and go outside for a walk. If the weather or where you are located does not permit you to go outside, walk around in your office suite or your building. You can even stand up when the phone rings. Just get the blood flowing.
Stretch
This provides a surge of energy and it feels good.
Stay away from sugar-sweetened beverages
Instead of reaching for a soda, go for the green tea or water. At the end of the day, sugary drinks increase your caloric intake and blood-glucose levels.
Snack on Protein
Try cheese or nuts for slow-burning calories to help you stay fuller longer which will give you energy.
Avoid Relying on Caffeine
Caffeine stimulates your body to produce additional levels of adrenaline and dopamine. This contributes to an increase in the feeling of having excess energy. When the chemical levels begin to drop, say goodbye to your energy. That is when you feel the slump.