Afternoon slump?

[trixie108]

Hi all! Recently I've found that around 2 or 3 PM, I've been getting totally exhausted and ready for a nap. I'm wondering if there's any way to beat this slump? I was thinking about adding a cardio workout in the am before work, would that help?

 

[JoanC]

Because I work at home I am able to add cardio session at 2 or 3 o'clock. It works better than a nap.

 

[Stebby]

Are you eating enough protein at breakfast and lunch? Also, are you drinking lots of water through the day? When I don't do these things, I have a major 2 p.m. slump.

I do most of my cardio workouts in the morning before work, but they don't really seem to affect my afternoons (they definitely give me more energy in the mornings). If I have a pasta lunch without protein, it doesn't matter whether I worked out in the morning - I'll be dragging my tail and fighting to stay awake by 2:00.

Stebby

 

[chefkate]

I start chugging ice water and that usually does the trick!

 

[morningstar]

Hi all! Recently I've found that around 2 or 3 PM, I've been getting totally exhausted and ready for a nap. I'm wondering if there's any way to beat this slump? I was thinking about adding a cardio workout in the am before work, would that help?

Can you leave your desk (assuming you're at one) and go for a quick walk, or do some quick push ups, tricep dips, lunges, squats, that kind of thing? I find that if I just get moving I pick up energy.

 

[Heidisue]

I run into the same problem. I am chasing after two kiddo's all day and thought that was it but after reading this, I noticed that I am not eating as much protein OR drinking enough water either. Sounds like good ideas.

 

[JulesMT]

I don't really have any better suggestions than the previous ones. Maybe a cup of coffee or green tea might help? I just wanted to add that natural body rhythms make most people tired in the afternoon. I lived for a couple of years in Greece and was amazed that most of the shops would close down for 2 or 3 hours every afternoon because that was when almost everybody took a daily nap (or siesta)!

 

[kathryn]

I think the heat and humidity makes things worse (and why in some hot countries, a daily siesta is a tradition).

Make sure you are hydrated enough (you need to have more fluid than in winter, things like juicy fruits and veggies as well as water).

A short, brisk walk could help (though walking in heat and humidity could make you feel more tired).