Welcome to Day 21 of 31 Days of Mom Mojo – Tackling Time Management.
Without passion you don’t have energy, without energy you have nothing. Donald Trump
We can all relate to the afternoon slumps. They usually hit a couple of hours after lunchtime, and sometimes just keeping awake is a challenge. It’s a struggle we all face – but how can you get through it easier and with less frustration?
If you’re feeling sluggish in the early afternoon, ask yourself these questions:
Did I eat breakfast? What did I eat for breakfast?
If you want to beat the midafternoon slump, start first thing in the morning with a good-quality breakfast. (We lecture our kids about it, but how often do we take our own advice?) Most women should be eating about 300 to 400 calories for breakfast. Instead of coffee and half a donut try making breakfast a priority. We talked about the importance of breakfast and starting your day right.
What did I eat for lunch?
Your answers may point to the problem. A cup of coffee on the run for breakfast and a candy bar or eating the remains of Suzie’s lunch will not give you the long-term fuel you need to keep going. Make sure you are taking serious the need to give your body the fuel it needs to get through the day.
Here are some other ideas that may help stave off those doldrums and give you the energy boost you need.
Have a Cup of Tea
Perhaps the concept of tea in the afternoon could be adopted by some Americans. Green tea in particular has a refreshing effect. It does contain caffeine, but it contains a fraction of the caffeine found in coffee, and its effect is much gentler. Green tea also contains antioxidants. If you find a warm cup of tea too relaxing, try iced green tea sweetened with a little raw honey. The honey will help boost your energy, too.
Take a Walk
Give yourself a boost by getting your circulation going and your muscles working. If you can get outside to grab a walk – even better. If not, no worries – just get your body moving briskly – up and down some stairs or circling your rooms – both of those will give you an energy boost.
Light
Access some natural light! It’s amazing what daylight exposure can do to lift your spirits and help your energy. Let in as much natural light and fresh air as you can. Even in the dead of winter, you can sit near an open window for just a few minutes to get that fresh air buzz.
Vitamins
You may already be taking vitamins, but many people take them in the morning. Instead, try taking them at lunchtime to help boost your energy in the afternoon. Make sure you’re taking a quality vitamin, too – it should be formulated to your stage in life, and many health professionals agree that your vitamins should be food-based rather than synthetic. We talked about good nutrition – make sure you are getting the majority of your nutrients through real food.
High-Energy Lunch
For some, a carbohydrate-heavy lunch can contribute to an energy slump later in the afternoon. Try focusing on lean protein and fresh fruit and vegetables for lunch instead, and if you have carbs for lunch, eat whole grain ones. Maybe you could have a salad with lean beef or chicken, or topped with healthy nuts.
Cat Nap
What about taking a nap? This is one that my husband has taught me to embrace. I am still not a very good napper, but even just laying down on the sofa for 20 minutes can re-focus my mind, settle my spirit and energize me to finish out the day strong. This has made a huge difference for myself and understanding that giving my body some grace benefits everyone! Just don’t sleep too long! The length of the nap will determine how good you feel. About 20 minutes works quite well, but much longer than that and you will wake up feeling terrible and probably more sluggish than when you laid down.
High-Energy Snacks
When the energy slump hits, it can be very tempting to reach for something sweet, like cookies or candy. (I admit, I have a stash of M & M’s near my desk!!) Your body needs energy, and craving sugar is its way of telling you – but whereas this craving served our ancestors well by driving them toward the ripest berries and fruits, nowadays it tends to drive us toward the pastries. Get back to your ancestral roots and go for the sweet fruits instead!
Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep during the night? This is an area where we need to be really honest with our self. You cannot expect to perform at your best when you are not allowing your body to recover each night. You should be getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep each evening – yes – SERIOUSLY!
The afternoon slump is a naturally occurring stage for nearly everyone. Our bodies are actually laid out to feel a slump during this time. Don’t fret – just try tackling the dip in alertness with a few tricks that can help you overcome the ‘low energy’ cycle and come out refreshed on the other side.
