8 easy ways to avoid the afternoon slump during the workday

• Breathe Deeper.  This may seem so simple but it's so easy to forget!  Fuller breaths through the nose will dramatically improve mood and alertness by increasing the amount of oxygen to the brain and throughout the body.  Deep breathing is also your body's inherent anti stress agent. By increasing your lung capacity, you lower your heart rate and blood pressure.  Most people somehow survive on using only 20% of their lung capacity.  Imagine how much more energy you would experience if you used more like 60 or 80%?  Due to the fact that it's so easy to forget this simple tip, it may help to put a note up on your desk or to set an alarm on your phone to remind you every hour or so. 
• Get up and walk around.  The more often you can get up and walk around, the more the blood circulates to throughout your body which will leave you feeling substantially more energized.  Sitting for long periods of time will have damaging physiological consequences, so try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or getting up to talk to your colleagues instead of sending intra-office emails.  If you are sedentary for too long, your body stops breaking up fat in the bloodstream which causes an accumulation of fat in your liver, heart and brain.  Not only are you improving your physical fitness through conscious movement, you are improving intellectual performance as well.  Some offices even go as far as to take standing or walking meetings.  Basically, look for any opportunity to get up and walk around even if it's to pick something up off the printer instead of rolling your chair over to the printer. 
• Stretch.  You can do various stretches right there at your desk.  If you don't feel comfortable with that, you may choose to take a bathroom stretch break.  I would recommend some forward to side neck rolls and some backbends you can do standing, coupled with some standing forward bends.  Twists and side stretches are also essential in avoiding lower back pain by keeping the spine lubricated and increasing flexibility in your obliques, abdminals and back muscles.  It's easy for the muscles to quickly become short and tight, so give yourself some type of stretch break at least once every 30 minutes or so if possible.     
• Exercise during your lunch break.  Do not take your lunch break for granted.  This is such an important time of the day to exercise.  If you work close to home, drive home and get in a Yoga session or an exercise DVD.  If you can't get home during your break then try changing your shoes and even your clothes if needed, to get in a short walk or run.   
• Drink more water.  Drinking plenty of water can improve many things including your immune, digestive, and nervous system.  Your joints, muscles and skin need enough water to remain lubricated in order to function optimally.  Water can aid in losing weight, improving cognitive functioning, and detoxify your system.  A lack of water can cause headaches, constipation, kidney problems, and dry skin.  In conclusion, drinking more water will help you stay more alert, healthy, and happy throughout the day.
• Instead of one big lunch, try eating mini meals more often.  The idea behind eating smaller meals more frequently is that it ensures a steady supply of blood sugar, allows you to metabolize calories more efficiently, and gives the body more opportunity to absorb proper vitamins and minerals.  Blood sugar spikes and crashes contribute to overeating and mood swings which lead to tiredness and fatigue.  If you switch from 2-3 larger meals to mini-meals about every 3 hours, your diet can be more varied which will allow you to incorporate proper food- combining for improved digestion.  Keeping your blood sugar regulated will dramatically improve your mood and energy level. 
• Visualize achieving your dreams.  If you can devote simply 20 minutes a day to practicing this powerful visualization technique, you will improve your overall mental\emotional well being dramatically.  Try imagining how you would feel if all your dreams came true for a minute.  How would this make you feel?  Probably pretty good if not amazing!  It is been experienced by many that what you focus on attracts what you create in your life.  If you can spend at least 20 minutes a day visualizing what your life would look like and how you would feel as a result of your goals being achieved, you will find that your energy moves in that direction.  As a consequence your mind will be creative in finding ways to achieve those goals.  I know for myself that when I am imagining how it will feel to achieve a certain goal I have in mind, I immediately feel more positive energy.  
• Avoid added sugar.  The average American diet consists of far more sugar than is necessary for optimal functioning.   It's also important to note that the form of sugar most Americans consume is not in the form that is most effectively used to maintain a stable blood sugar level throughout the day.  In order for our cells to receive the necessary fuel to perform at best, the glucose in the bloodstream needs to be stable.  If you consume an abundance of processed sugar, the levels of glucose in the bloodstream increase rapidly resulting in a sugar crash and a craving for more sugar.  This cycle repeats itself until you avoid added sugar entirely.  If you can manage your blood sugar, your immune system will improve along with your mood and energy levels. Try and do away with the pick me up sodas, candy bars, donuts and baked goods made with white flour. 

Next time you are feeling a bit down at work, give some of these tips a try and see what happens.

~Namaste

If you are interested in a free health consultation, please visit me at restoringhealthybalance.com