Afternoon slump - What do you do?

therealblackdahlia
therealblackdahlia Posts: 3,110 Member
in Getting Started
I think a lot of us experience this, around 3-4 p.m. we become tired and often crave something to boost our energy, spirits, etc.

For me it's coffee, my partner in crime. However, I often also reach for carbs or chocolate.

What do you do to combat the afternoon slump? I'd like to replace my more harmful habits!

Best,
BD
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Replies

  • mirms82
    mirms82 Posts: 8
    I usually drink some green with a fiber one bar
  • mirms82
    mirms82 Posts: 8
    I meant green tea lol
  • ScorpionQwean
    ScorpionQwean Posts: 1,013 Member
    I get up from my desk, walk around, grab a big glass of water w/ lemon and that usually does it for me.
  • rustyroof
    rustyroof Posts: 76
    A banana, fills you up and gives you a natural boost
  • sfbaumgarten
    sfbaumgarten Posts: 912 Member
    I crave leaving work.

    ETA: I combat the afternoon slump by leaving work. Once I'm home, I'm totally fine again. Then again, home has everything I look forward to in the day. I could try to bring some of it to work... Like my dog. Or dinner. Maybe my bed. Now the wheels are turning!
  • victoriaalice39
    victoriaalice39 Posts: 22
    I try to get up and move around a bit. Even if its just for a few minutes, and I drink lots of water.
  • RaeLB
    RaeLB Posts: 1,216 Member
    I keep eating! I eat 6 times a day and that includes a snack in the afternoon.
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
    I get up and pour myself another cup of coffee and usually grab a piece of chocolate, than I log it
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Plan it into your day...

    I'm currently having a Chai Tea and some dark chocolate.
  • Rogsman
    Rogsman Posts: 106 Member
    A banana, fills you up and gives you a natural boost

    This!
  • gobonas99
    gobonas99 Posts: 1,049 Member
    A great snack is a piece of fruit (I prefer a banana or an apple, but any will do) and a babybel cheese round. I drink about 16 oz of water about 30 minutes before my snack (in the winter, if the office is chilly, I'll make hot tea with a 1/2 tbsp of raw honey instead of having cold water). :flowerforyou:
  • Katz135
    Katz135 Posts: 22
    With me it is after supper when the the house is quiet and the rush of the day is over. I guess it is boredom more than anything else. So I save some calories for this time of day and plan ahead what it is that I am going to snack on.
    Even if you have to prepare your snack during the day when it isn't so hard and cut back a little on meals to allow for it. It is good to have it ready for when the "munchies" attack.
    As long as you calculate them into your total it's all good.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I used to take a nap over my lunch hour.....but then the owners of the building our company is in got rid of the sauna....:angry:
  • SandraD1424
    SandraD1424 Posts: 81 Member
    Drink water and have a snack such as pistachios or tangerines, you have to do some work to get the nut or fruit out in order to eat it. It takes time and distracts you.
  • therealblackdahlia
    therealblackdahlia Posts: 3,110 Member
    Excellent ideas, I'm going to try them. Well, I do drink water all the time, so I've got that covered. I didn't bring any fresh fruit today, but I bought some dried apple slices.

    I definitely need to get up more at work. I also have the beginning of carpal tunnel syndrome (due to work) so I've got to take more breaks!
  • therealblackdahlia
    therealblackdahlia Posts: 3,110 Member
    That's a great idea! Plus, I'm addicted to pistachios lately. Sooo good!
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    COFFEE!!!! And a walk helps too. But mainly COFFEE!
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I eat bigger breakfast and lunch with plenty of protein and fat. I eat heaps of non starchy vegies with these meals and limit my fruit because I find eating a lot of starchy carbs make me a) get hungry sooner and b) tired/lacking in energy
  • AprilFire04
    AprilFire04 Posts: 18 Member
    I like the idea of leaving work. but its not always feasible.

    I like to go for a walk or do some yoga stretches. Sometimes moving onto a different subject while working helps too!
  • therealblackdahlia
    therealblackdahlia Posts: 3,110 Member
    Oh and I have a new way to combat the slump...chat in the MFP forums! :)
  • RinnyLush
    RinnyLush Posts: 389 Member
    This is going to sound totally kindergarten, but here we go... (lol)

    I always pack a 'dipping' snack with me to work. Something like apple slices and peanut butter, pita bread and hummus, carrots and tzatziki, etc. etc. I find that not only is it a nutritious snack, but the activity involved in eating it wakes me up a little too. I look forward to it everyday at 3:00pm! Today is banana and coconut greek yogurt.
  • MapleFlavouredMaiden
    MapleFlavouredMaiden Posts: 595 Member
    I eat. Actually I don't get slumps but if I did, I would up my calories. It's a pretty good sign your metabolism is tanking.
  • CherylG1983
    CherylG1983 Posts: 294 Member
    A small handful of mixed nuts and green tea usually does it for me. I keep a bar of Lindt 85% dark chocolate in my kitchen cabinet and allow myself one square when I get home... that usually motivates me to work faster and get out of there!
  • FATJAKE5
    FATJAKE5 Posts: 162
    Spicy hot homemade no-salt pico de gallo and a handful of whole grain corn tortilla chips
  • dorisdias
    dorisdias Posts: 2
    Green tea
  • therealblackdahlia
    therealblackdahlia Posts: 3,110 Member
    I noticed a lot of people said green tea. Is the myth true that it helps with weight loss?
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Almonds are good for a quick snack and boost!
  • tallvesl99
    tallvesl99 Posts: 231 Member
    These are all great ideas. I usually have the same problem around 3:00. Walking around and drinking water is usually my answer. Going for an unhealthy snack is a HUGE temptation. I have bought some NICE brand granola bars at Walgreens that are only 100 calories apiece but fruit is a much better choice!
  • PrettyPearl88
    PrettyPearl88 Posts: 368 Member
    A banana, fills you up and gives you a natural boost

    Bananas are amazing! They're a go-to snack of mine too! When I need that pick me up, what works is a cup of coffee and a banana, sometimes with a little bit of peanut butter. It's healthy, natural, filling, not too high in calories, and it really does a great job of giving me energy! :bigsmile:
  • afat12
    afat12 Posts: 178 Member
    almonds just a few and a lot of water :)

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