My afternoon pick-me-ups for the 4pm slump
I’ve noticed that around 4 to 5pm in the afternoon I feel really lethargic and sluggish. I also find there are days when I feel lethargic early on and so I’ve been on the lookout for strategies to help me feel better.
The list below are now my go-to solutions for improving my energy level and leaving me feeling good:
Fruit bowl – putting some blueberries or raspberries or strawberries or kiwi in a bowl and munching them helps clear the mental fog that creates tiredness for me.
A glass of cold water – not ice cold but just cool – this helps me to reset and think clearly again.
5 minutes of movement – this can be dancing or lifting some dumbbells or just doing pilates for a few minutes. I find that 5 minutes is enough to create endorphins and leave me feeling happy. (I dare you to try this 6 minute arm workout - link here - warning it’s intense but will leave you feeling good. Go at your own pace as it’s not a competition!)
Cup of hot lemon water – this is super easy to do. Get one lemon and cut it into slices then keep the slices in a bag in the fridge. When you want to have a hot drink simple put one lemon slice in the bottom of a cup and pour over hot water from the kettle. Let is rest for 10 minutes then drink. It will help to feel refreshed and also helps clear skin to if you drink it a few times in a week. I find this helps to leave my skin glowing and I feel hydrated to from the water, it’s literally a win-win!
Fresh air walk – this is easy and costs nothing. It can be difficult to get up from your desk in the middle of work so sometimes it can be a good idea to go for a walk after work is done so that you get a fresh burst of energy for the evening. If walking isn’t something you enjoy try to break it up by having things to look forward to along the way like a coffee shop or book shop. These landmarks will help to break up the walk and keep you feeling happy and motivated to be outside.
What are your go-to strategies for lifting your energy in the afternoons? Let me know in the comments!
See you in the next post!