Do you ever get to the homestretch at work only to feel tired and lethargic? The “afternoon slump” is more common than you think. Most people have a feeling of lethargy and can also experience drowsiness in the afternoon. In fact, it’s almost normal to feel a lull in energy in the afternoon. The decrease in energy you feel is related to the brain’s circadian rhythm. Whilst it may be impossible to completely get rid of the afternoon energy drop, there are certainly ways to help reduce the symptoms.
Some people may find they have a decrease in energy at other times of the day. If your energy levels affect the way you live your life, it’s always advisable to seek the assistance of a doctor who can rule out any other health concerns.
If you just want to increase your energy levels throughout the day, there are a few things you can do to help.
Assess your stress levels
Have you ever had a stressful day at work and just felt the effects of the day on your body? A study has shown that fatigue is strongly associated with increased stress levels. Stress has a way of manifesting itself into other symptoms and can often present as physical reactions. Stress-induced feelings can easily use a lot of your energy. Instead, make use of relaxation techniques such as meditation, tai chi and yoga. These activities can help you to feel more relaxed throughout the day and help boost your energy levels.
Evaluate your workload
Do you feel like you’re always having to be at multiple places at the same time? Overworking yourself at work, in your family life and in your social life can lead to fatigue. Although it can be hard for many people to say “no” to people, there comes a time in your life when you need to set your priorities, take care of the most important tasks in each day, and ensure that you are not overworking yourself. If possible, ask the people around you for some help when you find that you have too much on your plate. It could be as simple as asking a colleague at work to help you with a task or it could be telling the kids to clean up after themselves once in a while!
Get moving
For those of us who work in an office, it’s becoming easier to find yourself sitting at a desk for nearly eight hours a day. Not getting enough exercise and movement throughout your day can put a strain on your body. Exercising can also help you to sleep more efficiently and, therefore, help you with your energy levels for the next day. If you haven’t been involved in a regular exercise routine for quite some time, even some incidental exercise throughout your day can help. Try parking your car further away from the shopping centre and walking a little bit further, take the stairs instead of an elevator or simply take a walk throughout your lunch break instead of sitting.
Eat better
Ensuring that you are eating a nutritious diet every day can help you to stop feeling as tired, reduce your sluggishness and increase your energy levels in general. Eating better can also help to decrease your risk of developing chronic diseases. Food is meant to be used as fuel for your body, so think about choosing nutritious foods that are low in sugar and fat and reduce the number of processed foods you eat each day. Also, have a think about how regularly you eat. If you are regularly missing your breakfast in the morning, chances are you might overeat towards lunch time and perhaps choose something that is not as healthy as what it could be.
Consider supplementation
Sometimes we choose the best foods for our body, we get exercise and we have a chat with our doctor to see that there aren’t any underlying medical problems. But, we still aren’t feeling as energetic as what we could be. This is where supplementing your needs with a multivitamin may be a good option for you. There are plenty of multivitamins available on the market and they can contain combinations of vitamins, minerals and other nutritional benefits. They can help you to get the recommended daily intakes of essential nutrients that you may be missing from other sources such as food, especially if you lead a busy lifestyle or have dietary restrictions. Not only can you find yourself with a boost of energy, but you may also find that a multivitamin helps to support your immune health, helps with exercise performance, your mental function and your general well-being. It’s always best to look at the various products on offer and find the best one for you and your personal needs. Some of these products may be the supplementation boost you need in order to get the nutrients and vitamins you need each day.