We’ve all had those moments at work where suddenly we hit a wall. Our productivity drops off, our energy level decreases, and it becomes difficult to focus. It’s safe to say this makes it impossible to get anything done. And unfortunately, you’ve probably found yourself in this very predicament more often than you’d like to admit.
The good news is, if you’re someone who frequently falls victim to the mid-day slump, there is a way out. These five tips will help you climb out of your slump and can even help cut down on how often you experience it. Give these tips a try the next time you’re struggling to get through the day…
1. Hydrate
The next time you’re struggling to stay focused on the task at hand, ask yourself if you’ve had plenty of water to drink. We often get so caught up in our work that we completely forget to drink water and only realize it when the side effects of dehydration start to creep up. In fact, dehydration has been shown to cause low mood, fatigue, and a lack of focus among other problems.
It’s important that we keep our bodies hydrated if we want to perform at optimal levels, so keep a glass of water nearby at all times. Be sure to sip on it throughout the day so hydration won’t be an issue and neither will the mid-day slump.
2. Fuel Up With Ironbound Cold Brew
For many of us, struggling to get through the day always leads to one thing: a cup of coffee. Coffee has been proven to have many health benefits and we already know that it can help increase our energy levels and reawaken a sleepy mind. However, you don’t want to drink just any old cup of coffee!
Our Nitro Cold Brew is not only delicious, but it actually contains 33% more caffeine and 66% less acidity than drip coffee. It’s also been steeped for 24 hours, infused with nitrogen, and poured on tap. With creamy, chocolate notes and a smooth finish, you’re sure to love it. You might never go back to your regular coffee again!
3. Take a Breather With Some Meditation
If you have yet to try meditation, you really need to give it a go. Meditation is a powerful tool that will help you clear your mind while also alleviating any stress or anxiety you might feel when you’re stuck in a mid-day slump. What’s even better is that you don’t have to complete long meditation sessions to see results. Simply meditating for just a few minutes can help improve your concentration and focus, no matter how tired your brain may be.
It sounds so easy, but it really can be effective when done right. If you’re just getting started with meditation, there are plenty of smartphone applications, YouTube videos, and even some cool gadgets that will guide you through the process. You won’t even have to leave your desk to do it! Just close your office door, silence your phone, and take a breather through the help of meditation. The deep breaths will also give your mind and body a boost with the added oxygen.
4. Get in a Short Exercise Session
When you hit that mid-day slump, you’re typically feeling tired, unmotivated, and struggling with low energy levels. And odds are, the last thing on your mind would be to complete some kind of workout. However, it’s actually one of the best things you can do! Getting in a short exercise session is enough to boost your mood and your energy levels to help you power through the rest of the day.
The best part is, it doesn’t have to be anything intense. You just need to get out of your chair and get your body moving. Try doing a few yoga moves, go for a quick walk during your lunch break, and opt to take the stairs instead of the elevator. You can even do a few jumping jacks to get your blood flowing and your heart pumping. It’s a great way to overcome fatigue, so if you find yourself struggling with low energy levels, incorporate some in-office workout tricks into your daily routine.
5. Make Sure You’re Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
By now, you should already know the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. Not only is sleep essential for the health of our bodies, but it’s critical for our mental health as well. A lack of sleep means we won’t be able to perform our best at work and it’ll make it increasingly difficult to get through the day.
In fact, a study that was conducted back in 2009 had people restrict their sleep schedule to just five hours a night for four nights in a row. Afterwards, they displayed the same loss in performance as someone who had a blood alcohol content level of .06 while completing a basic cognitive task. You can see noticeable effects when just losing an hour or two of sleep, which is why it’s so important to get in those seven or eight hours every single night. You’ll feel much better when you do.
The next time you’re falling into that mid-day slump, just try these tips to snap out of it. You’ll be feeling energized and ready to get back to work in no time at all!