How do you beat the afternoon fatigue?

I'll be sitting at my desk and start to fade around 2:30 in the afternoon. I've been trying to schedule a break and go walk around for about 15 minutes, but I need other ideas too. I'm in an office. What's a good idea to wake myself up again? Bear in mind, that no matter what my level of exhaustion is, I will still hit the gym after work.

Replies

  • SamjdRH
    SamjdRH Posts: 15 Member
    Hi Jon's. I get this too... u need an ice cold glass of water. I feel like this most days... and I think it's down to dehydration. Even put in a little light exercise. I tend to find a few light house chores perk me up a bit.. ironing... washing... hoovering or dusting. X
  • jonsjanuary
    jonsjanuary Posts: 13 Member
    I'm in! I will try it. Thank you .
  • Bonny132
    Bonny132 Posts: 3,617 Member
    I walk the stairs at work and make myself a cup of hot water to drink.
  • indiacaitlin
    indiacaitlin Posts: 691 Member
    I get this too, I usually have lunch 1-2 and then before 3pm hits I'm struggling to stay awake :( usually I try and get moving if I can and make sure I'm hydrated. It usually passes after half an hour or so!
  • ma2007pmc
    ma2007pmc Posts: 58 Member
    Nuts. Currently enjoying unsalted sunflower seeds and pepitas.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,993 Member
    edited August 2016
    Get more rest before work. That may mean going to bed 30-60 minutes earlier than you are now.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • Alienique
    Alienique Posts: 122 Member
    For me, a little bit of sugar does the trick. If you want to avoid added sugars, go for a serving or two of fruit - it should boost your metabolism enough to get you functional again. Also, make sure you've got fluids in your system. Dehydration is usually the main culprit when it comes to random doziness.
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    I usually eat a light lunch, I find it helps keep me alert during the afternoons. It's when I eat a big heavy meal that I feel lethargic afterwards.
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
    Yep. Ice cold water, as much as I can drink, then a brisk walk. And then a second walk to the bathroom. Works every time.
  • jayv85
    jayv85 Posts: 142 Member
    I wish I knew. I start getting really sleepy around then too. I usually just drink a lot of water and suffer through. Lol
  • lilstry
    lilstry Posts: 120 Member
    Usually I drink green tea in the afternoon. Also eating a smaller lunch helps. Idk why but when I would eat a large portion of food during my lunch hour I would feel extremely sleepy.
  • bclarke1990
    bclarke1990 Posts: 287 Member
    Managing insulin can help too.
  • mrbullfrog
    mrbullfrog Posts: 54 Member
    Get on your feet and off your *kitten*. A few minutes of exercise will help if stuck at a desk all day. I'm don't get the same feeling as my job is physical and fast paced (beer sales) and never in one spot for vary long.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,993 Member
    lilstry wrote: »
    Usually I drink green tea in the afternoon. Also eating a smaller lunch helps. Idk why but when I would eat a large portion of food during my lunch hour I would feel extremely sleepy.
    The body works on digestion and there's usually an increase in insulin which releases seratonin and melatonin, both related with drowsiness.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • jonsjanuary
    jonsjanuary Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks, everyone! I made myself a list to try to figure out what will work. I appreciate all of it!
  • sllm1
    sllm1 Posts: 2,130 Member
    I found out that a gluten allergy was causing my afternoon slump. Of course, that's certainly not the case for everyone, but cutting out gluten (particularly at lunch) really helped.
  • jonsjanuary
    jonsjanuary Posts: 13 Member
    That's really good to know. I'm going to try to start walking my lunches and drinking iced green tea first. I hope it's not an allergy, but it will be interesting to see how I react to the other solutions people provided. I can't try everything all at once, so I figure I will give it a month and then see about decreasing gluten if the slump doesn't abate.