How to beat the afternoon slump
I’m teaming up with Ricola® Herb & Throat drops, as part of a campaign with Socialstars, to bring you this sponsored post.
You’ve nearly digested your lunch, you have a ton of stuff left on your to-do list, and the day is not over yet. Your eyes are hanging heavy and you have little to no motivation or inspiration to get anything else done. Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve hit the dreaded afternoon slump.
It happens to the best of us, in all lines of work. And while it can be easy to head to the coffee pot or raid the candy jar, there are other healthier ways to get a pick-me-up.
Healthy ways to beat the afternoon slump
- Take a walk. First and foremost, removing yourself from your current situation and moving around will get your blood flowing and give you a boost. When in doubt, go for a stroll. You get bonus points for soaking up some fresh air while walking outside. But if you have to stay within four walls, looping around inside an office building will work as well.
- Doodle. When was the last time you drew? Put pen to paper and let your hand do a little drawing. Your mind will begin to wander, and next thing you know you’ll have a fresh perspective on the task at hand and some extra energy.
- Chug some water. Seriously, staying hydrated does wonders for your body. Drink up. And if you think you’ve had enough, drink a little bit more. Did you know that many times a foggy brain is just in need of some H20? Fun fact: I find that room temperature water is so much easier to drink quickly than cold.
- Stretch. Stand up, lift your arms above your head, pull your shoulders back and down, then tip from the hip to touch your toes, from there stand up and open your arms wide to the side in the position of a T. Holding these poses will lengthen out your muscles and counteract the effects of sitting and change your mindset. You’ll get your blood moving in no time. And don’t forget to take a few deep breaths as you hold each stretch for 15-20 seconds each.
- Make a plan. You know what gives me some extra endorphins? Planning something fun for my weekend or the week ahead. Whether that’s a dinner date, an activity or a project, I find that giving myself something to look forward to in the near future helps to make me feel more alert. Write it on the calendar!
- Power nap it out. It’s proven that a 20-minute nap is the ideal time for day-time shut-eye. If you have the ability to take a little break, close your office door, lay your head on the desk and get in a short snooze session. Don’t sleep too long though.
- Wake up your mouth. Grab one of these deliciously effervescent Ricola Revitalizing Herb Drops for some flavor and a bolt of energy in your mouth. They provide an uplifting bit of lemon, followed by a fizzy sensation that soothes the throat. It’s a good time in your mouth, and that’s why a bag of these is always in my gym bag.
Whatever you do to get some energy, step away from the high-sugar treats and caffeinated beverages, my friends. Move around, stay hydrated and hopefully you’ll have a lively afternoon, each and every day.
Check out the “Wake Up Your Mouth” Tour
A couple of months ago, I told you that Ricola was planning to launch a nation-wide “Wake Up Your Mouth” tour, and it’s finally happening. During the tour, a custom-wrapped Ricola car will be visiting new cities, the team members will be handing out samples of the awesome Revitalizing Herb Drops and providing interactive games for anyone who shows up to play. Click here to see if the truck is coming to a city near you, as the site keeps getting updated with exact dates and locations. And to all my Bay Area people, a San Francisco stop is planned, so you can experience the fun in person and #WakeUpYourMouth!
*Disclaimer: As part of a Socialstars campaign, this post in sponsored by Ricola. I’ve really enjoyed learning about this family-owned Swiss company as a year-long ambassador. However, please know that all the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. For more information on Ricola, you can visit Ricola on Facebook or on Twitter.
Questions of the day
How do you beat the afternoon slump?
What’s your favorite afternoon ritual?
Going for a walk has always been my go to for beating that slump feeling in the afternoon. Anything active seems to wake my body up and refresh me!
Same here, Megan! It can be easy to stay put and be lazy, but a good walk does wonders. Have a great day! 🙂
Afternoon walks are the jam. I miss them! But crutching around is just not the same, lol.
Hi Susie! OH man, I bet that crutching around is NOT as rejuvenating — but definitely a killer upper-body workout. Keep on keeping on, lady! 🙂
Great tips, thanks for sharing!! I need to look for those drops : ) Have a wonderful day ~xoxo
Thanks, lady! They are quite tasty! Hope you have an energy-filled day! Even with your little ones taking up all your time and attention. 🙂
Yes to all of these! I used to get the afternoon slump like CRAZY. One good thing that’s happened during the Whole30 is no afternoon slump, which I’m loving. I really like these tips too, especially getting out for a walk!
Hi Gretchen! I am SOO wanting to try Whole30 one day! I think it’s awesome you are doing it!! 🙂
Getting up and moving is clutch like going on a walk (if you are able to). When living in California it was so easy to go on a walk outside after eating lunch….I miss that! 🙂
No kidding! I LOVE the walkability of cities and suburban areas around California because of all of the parks and sidewalks and the good weather. It’s the best! 🙂 Have a great day, Marielle!
walking and stretching plus staying hydrated really helps me.
Hi Dixya! Good! Glad I covered all of the bases that you rely on, lady! 🙂 Have a great day!
Ricola drops reminds me of my childhood! They were always my go-to when I had a sore throat 🙂 and taking a walk mid afternoon is usually enough for me to avoid the mid-day slump! Happy Tuesday!
Perfect, Alyssa! YES for walking. 🙂
A co-worker and I usually take a few laps around our floor at work or I’ll go to the gym in the afternoon, (that is if I haven’t already taken a class early in the day).
It’s so good to get someone else involved in the movement with you, Jessie. So I like to hear you have a coworker willing to walk with you! 🙂
Good suggestions – yesterday I was in an all day slump, and could have slept like a baby on my desk all day! I like your suggestion for taking a walk, it takes effort to force yourself to do it but fresh air actually works wonders. So does a green tea or a diet coke if you’re really in a pinch! 😛
Mondays are slump days, Jill. I feel ya. 🙂 I always feel better on Tuesday heheh!
Woo-sah, this one is after my own heart! I’ve actually changed my workouts to be 2:30/3pm rto pump me up! It’s great if I can fit that kind of awkward time into my schedule, but I’m pumped to try the revitalizing drops!
Thanks for the tip!
xo, Jessica
Hi Jessica! Good that you can move your schedule around to put your workouts during the time you need the pick me up! 🙂
Getting some fresh air or a little bit of physical activity is probably my #1 go-to for beating the slump because it almost never fails. It’s crazy how sitting around for long periods of time actually makes me MORE tired than when I’m physically active.
I KNOW, Amanda! I KNOW! I am infinitely more energized when up and about rather than sitting down. Especially more so than when staring at a computer screen!
I always hit the slump around 2pm. I get up from my desk, refill my water and try to make a plan of action to tackle the rest of the afternoon. If I give myself a list it really helps with the focus.
I’m into the lists as well, Sheena. I feel much better with a list of what’s ahead!
I love to take breaks throughout my day to plan my grocery list or to do list for the evening. I think walks would also be such a good option for me!
Yes for the lists, Hilary! All over that!! 🙂
DRINKING! Not alcohol. DRINKING WATER or carbonated water = SOOOOOOOO necessary for the afternoon slump, holy moly! I noticed it last night when I got off the plane, I had a ZEVIA… and I felt like 9348938247 x better! ha!
Hi GiGi! Ohhhh flights can totally take it out of you. I need to try Zevia, by the way. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
These are awesome! I needed these earlier today! 😉
Hi Liz!! I know! Afternoons can be tough! Hope all is well, lady! 🙂
I am all about a mid-afternoon walk outside! My manager and I sometimes have meetings while walking around the outside of the building and we always feel much more awake afterwards. Love these tips!
That is awesome, Kristen! I love the idea of walking meetings. Keep it up!
Going for a walk or drinking some cold water are my favorite ways to pep myself up when I run into that midday slump. Sunshine fixes everything!
Yes, Sarah! Those are great habits to get your energy back. 🙂
I work at home so I can easily start to drag when things slow down in the afternoon online. I sometimes get sucked into the internet and end up wasting time. LOL. I set an alarm every hour to remind myself to get up and walk around a bit. It gets me up and moving, away for a bit from my computer, and I feel better and more productive once I’m back. Sometimes there’s also coffee involved while I’m up. 😉
Hi Adrianne! I totally get sucked into Internet and social when I should be doing something else. And I love your plan to set an alarm to get up and walk around. Keep it up! 🙂
A piece of fresh fruit and plenty of water will help me remain focused!
Fresh fruit and plenty of water in the afternoon helps me remain focused.
Those are definitely good things to turn to when you need them, Pat! 🙂
We are almost alike. Consider that I do my walking ritual in the morning.
Hi Lorraine! That’s great that you have a morning routine of walking. Keep it up! 🙂