Surviving the afternoon slumps at work can be painful for employees as all they want to do is lay down and take a nap. It can also be painful for employers who find that their productivity slips after lunch making it difficult to meet their client’s needs. If you are an employee who frequently experiences afternoon slumps, then you may want to find out what is causing them.
Diet
Many people do not eat a healthy diet, which can lead to afternoon slumps. Eating a lunch full of carbohydrates floods the body with insulin. Eating a diet that is high in sugar can cause glucose levels to rise. When they do, you are more likely to lose self-control–making it harder to stay on task. There are several things that you can do to help avoid the afternoon slump if your diet is the problem. Here are some options:
- Eat a big breakfast. Consuming a nutrient-packed breakfast each morning tells the body that it is time to go to work.
- Limit refined fats. Unhealthy fats can give you brain fog during the day. Limiting the amount of refined fats in your diet will give you greater mental clarity.
- Eat a smaller meal at night. By avoiding heavy meals at bedtime, you will be able to sleep better throughout the night.
In addition to these tips, you should also take a look at your caffeine intake. You may be tempted to down coffee and energy drinks when you experience a slump. Rather than reach for these caffeine sources, reach for a healthier alternative, like matcha. Matcha Island explains that matcha is a natural and healthy source of caffeine that boosts mental clarity, mood, and concentration. Reaching for healthy snacks and drinks will help fuel your body and reduce the likelihood of crashing.
Hormones
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of hormone imbalance you can experience. One of the most common hormone imbalances that cause afternoon slumps is estrogen. When estrogen levels drop too low, then the body signals a hormone emergency and you feel like you are tired in the afternoons. Left untreated, you may feel tired all the time. Endocrinologists warn about another problem that is often seen by them is hypothyroidism, which can make you feel fatigued. Doctors suggest that you get your levels checked. Regular exercise can help. Additionally, make sure you are following a sound diet. Talk to the doctors about the medications that you are taking as some may cause a hormonal imbalance.
Sleep
The lack of sleep can certainly make you tired in the middle of the day, but not having a regular sleeping schedule can be almost as bad. Make sure that you are going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. While the sofa may look tempting on Sunday afternoons, skip the urge or your body will expect a nap every day. Chiropractors and other doctors also suggest to fix your sleeping positions, as the improper sleeping position will give you poor quality of sleep, which will impact your everyday life.
Stress
Stress can cause an afternoon slump. Stress throws the body’s endocannabinoid system out of whack, so people have trouble concentrating allowing them to complete important tasks as the deadlines draw near. Doctor Doni explains that stress also affects the neurotransmitters in your brain, causing them to produce less acetylcholine. Then, you start feeling sleepy and have trouble concentrating. Try spending time regularly in nature to reduce stress levels along with spending time on things you love to do.
The afternoon slump can happen to everyone occasionally. If you find it visiting you often, then consider these four factors that can cause afternoon slumps.
Some people overwork themselves because they try to do too much, which can make afternoon slumps almost impossible to work through. Let Free Press Marketing take some of that load off your shoulders so you can focus on expanding and building your business!