Our most efficient and active hours of the day are the first 4-6 after waking up. Carry that energy with you into your afternoon with these energy boosting afternoon hacks.
Feeling drained halfway through the day and wondering how to increase your energy in the afternoon? We have all been there, whether its a Monday or a Friday, nothing is worse then feeling exhausted mid-day. There is so much left to do, don’t give up now!
There is a lot you can do throughout the day to boost your energy. Some things work better in the morning while some can be used all day long. These energy boosting afternoon tips and tricks will keep you pushing well into the evening.
Carb-Less Lunch
Foods that are high in carbs often have higher amounts of calories which forces our body to use more energy digesting. Going carb-less at lunch is an efficient energy boosting afternoon trick that will keep you going all day long. Some low-carb foods that are great mid-day snacks are:
- Olives
- Trail mix
- Eggs
- Avocado
- Berries
- Popcorn
- Cliff Bars
Work-Life Integration
This is tough because a lot of us separate our work life from our personal life but by combining them into one lifestyle is how you can conserve energy. Work can burn us out and take away from our personal lives. Mixing them together can look like taking breaks during a work day to call a friend or relative. Or, every 2 hours of work you do 10 minutes of exercise.
When you work naturally, not only are you more productive but also you work better and have better ideas. Forcing yourself to work when you don’t want to will leave you with half-assed projects that don’t meet your regular standards. Additionally, resisting work or personal life can put strain on your relationships and cause exhaustion, irritability and stress.
5 Minute Movement Breaks
Taking a break every couple hours is an excellent energy boosting afternoon hack. Doing squats, jumping jacks, burpees or some form of movement will increase your endorphins and give you a much needed jolt of energy. Every 2 hours, take a movement break. It helps increase productivity and produce better work.
Cat Naps
Prevent burn out by taking a quick cat nap. Even if you don’t fall asleep, lying down and resting for 20-30 minutes can help restore some much needed energy. Just be careful, falling asleep and hitting snooze over and over again can lead you to becoming even more exhausted then when you fell asleep originally.
Change Environments
Sometimes a simple change of scenery can be enough. Energy boosting afternoon tips that get us moving, are the most effective. A quick walk around the block or going to a café for lunch will help stimulate you. Once you get back to work, errands or family time you will be rejuvenated and ready to go.
Bottom Line
We have all fallen victim to midday fatigue, but there is a way to fight it. The best energy boosting afternoon tips require a little bit of movement. A quick trip around the block or 5 minutes of exercise will restore your energy sources. Additionally, skip the carbs and keep some healthy snacks nearby to keep you going all day long!
