The late afternoon, around 3 PM, is an energy low point for most people. What causes this afternoon slump? For some it is poor sleeping habits. Others are done in by their diets. Here are a few ways to help maintain your energy last through the day:
1. Get a good night’s sleep the night before, preferably 7 to 8 hours. Most adults are sleep-deprived, and this causes them to operate at a sub-par level during the day. Set aside enough time to charge your batteries every night for a week and see how much better you feed during the day.
2. Eat a light lunch, and try to eat it as late as 1 to 2 PM if possible. If you eat a light enough lunch, and eat it at the time I suggest, you won’t be sleepy in the afternoon while your body digests a heavy meal, and you will be hungry again at 5 to 6 PM, just in time for dinner.
3. Take a short 10-15 minute walk, preferably in the sunshine, and preferably after giving your body a chance to digest your light lunch. It will do wonders for your energy level.
4. Try eating small portions of healthy foods throughout the day (almonds, carrots, fruit, etc.) This will keep your blood sugar and energy level steady, avoiding the peaks and valleys that occur when you go through cycles of fasting and feasting.
Try these tips for a week and see how much more energy you have through the day.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Getting enough sleep, eating light and exposing the skin to sunshine are all good recommendations.
I disagree that walking after a meal “aids” digestion. All animals rest after eating because blood is diverted to the stomach for digestion. Digestion is hinder by demanding blood be made available to the muscles for walking.
As for “peaks and valleys,” these are more an indication of what is eaten, not frequency. If the lunch is filled with foods high in refined sugar (as most processed foods are), then there will be a peaks and valleys as the body attempts to regulate blood sugar.
And filling the stomach and demanding the body constantly digest food wastes energy and ensures the digestive system never gets a rest. Throw an apple into a stomach that is busy trying to digest a steak only ensures the apple will ferment.
Rock on!
Dr DeJesus replies:
Thank you for your comments - If you reread the article you will find that we are substantially in agreement. Note that the suggestion is to eat LIGHT meals, especially at lunch time, to avoid exactly the situation you describe, and the suggested snacks were specifically chosen because they do not result in spikes in blood sugar levels.
Readers, please contribute your suggestions for how people can sustain their energy through the afternoon, when most people endure a sag in their energy level.
great advice!! I will have to start doing this!
I avoid the afternoon slump by taking my vitamins and supplements with my light lunch.I am Vegan, so I have to supplement a few nutrients daily.I take my vitamins B,C,D,Calcium,Iron (I am anemic)amino acids and my herbal greens around 1pm, and I usually have plenty of energy to tackle a busy afternoon.
great post.
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