The Afternoon Slump - 3 Tips to Reenergize!

Without fail, I struggle with energy between 12:30 and 2:00 in the afternoon. Even on my most perfect eating and exercising days, I still get lethargic in the early afternoon. Do you know why this happens? Our bodies naturally have a dip in body temperature in the early afternoon which signals the release of melatonin - the same hormone that helps us fall asleep at night. Obviously this isn't what we need when we need to power through the last few hours of our work day, so how do I beat it and still stay productive during my day? Here are three tips that I have used with success:

1. Bust a move! Get your body moving. Do a set of push-ups, jumping jacks, or sit-ups. Take a brisk walk around the building where you work, or run a flight of steps. Adding in some short brisk movement will get your blood moving and will release endorphins that will increase your productivity. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery and a brain break.

2. Hydrate! You need to try to consume at least half your body weight in ounces of water, more if you are physically active. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you should be aiming for 75 ounces a day. Water helps transport oxygen and other essential nutrients through your body and mild dehydration causes sleepiness. If you struggle with your water intake because you need some flavor to go with it, then put in some lemon, lime, berries, or even sliced cucumber!

3. Nom, nom, nom! Surprise! You just might be hungry, but avoid the vending machine with high-glycemic index foods laden with sugar. Aim for a whole food snack such as nuts, fresh fruit, hummus and veggies, or string cheese with whole wheat crackers.

The afternoon slump can be a pain, but once you establish routines in your day that include some of these tips you will have some strategies to help you cope with this hurdle.