We’ve all been there, your day seems to be going well but then suddenly around the 3pm mark, bam! All your energy seems to leave your body and you’re left feeling like you want to put your head on the desk and go to sleep.
This does nothing for productivity and makes the final couple of hours of your day go extremely slowly, whether you’re discussing ideas at the large round table, or you’re working individually.
If you’re noticing this happening on a regular basis, it could be that you need to change a few of your daily habits, and create a more even level of energy across your working day. It’s actually easier than you think, and all it takes is a few minor changes here and there.
Let’s check out how you can keep your energy levels on the straight and narrow, right until home time.
Start Your Day in The Right Way
You might wonder what 8am has to do with 3pm, but how you start your day actually impacts on your energy levels right up until bed time. Make sure you always have breakfast, but avoid sugary cereals and other so-called healthy options. Stick to high protein, slow release foods, such as porridge, smoothies (no added sugar), eggs with avocado, smoked salmon etc. This will see you through until lunch, and provided you continue the healthy eating at that meal, you should even out your energy levels.
Of course, ensuring you get a good night’s sleep is also vital, to stop you wanting to fall asleep at your office desks!
Get Away From Your Desk at Lunch Time
Eating your lunch at your desk is something you should never do, so make sure you get up and move from your ergonomic chairs, for a change of scenery. This gives your brain a boost of energy too. If you can, head outside and go for a brisk walk, or even a jog if you’re feeling energetic. This will get your circulation pumping and oxygen moving around your body, keeping your brain fresh and revitalised. You should have regular breaks throughout the day, and get away from your desk during these times too.
You should also make sure that you continue to eat in a healthy way, and avoid sugary lunches or high carb content. If you do this, you’re going to experience energy highs and crashes, which will probably come to you around that 3pm magical hour!
Mix up Your Workload as Much as Possible
If you are in charge of your own workload, i.e. you can prioritise your tasks, arrange your work so that you’re not doing the same type of work for a long period of time. For instance, if you have a large amount of typing to do, break this up with a little filing, perhaps some emails, photocopying, and other tasks, to break up the monotony of doing the same thing for many hours. You should also arrange your work in the afternoon so that your tasks are varied, to avoid that 3pm slump.
Why not arrange a quick collaboration session on the modern office sofas for the mid-afternoon period? This will get you away from your desk, give you a change of scenery and will also mix your afternoon’s tasks up so that you don’t become stuck in a boredom rut.
Drink Plenty of Water For Hydration
Having a drink of water could be all you need to perk yourself up. Keep your water bottle in the fridge, or get up and fill it up on a regular basis, so you’re moving from your desk and getting a little exercise at the same time. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime to your water if you don’t like the bland taste, but make sure you get plenty of H2O to stay hydrated and keep your brain focused.
Of course, a cup of coffee will give you a boost of energy too, thanks to the caffeine content. However, do make sure that you avoid sugary, milky options, as these are laden with extra sugars you don’t need, and too many could make you put on weight!
Changing your habits and creating a more varied day is usually enough to avoid those 3pm energy slumps. If you’re finding it hard to concentrate, why not relocate for the afternoon and use the collaborative areas or a quiet area with an office screen, if you have zones within your workplace. Much of the time, a change of scenery and a glass of water is all it takes to get your concentration levels back on track.