8 Ways To Overcome a Midday Slump, According to Our Health Editors

You have spent the morning and early afternoon, when all of a sudden, bam. You feel like you’re hitting a wall and it’s hard to stay motivated and productive.

This midday crisis is a natural dive into awakening your body experiences this by mid-afternoon. Even if you’re sleepy enough to want to take a nap, it’s not always possible.

We asked our editors what they do when they need to get through a midday slump. Here’s what they said.

I take a break from work and do something else that feels productive, like making a nutritious lunch, going for a walk, or cleaning my space. Taking a few minutes to take care of myself helps me clear my mind and return to work with more energy.

-Hannah Harper

I take a 15-minute walk, run outside, or do a quick HIIT video in my living room. I’m usually not in the mood, but exercise almost always brings me out of the funk.

-Jani Room

If the weather is nice and I have time, I’ll go for a little walk with music. If I don’t have time to walk around, I change where I work from. Maybe I’ll work outside or on the living room floor. I also drink water to try to recharge my batteries.

-Colleen Murphy

As much as I wish my M&M habit would do something for my midday slump, I recognize that movement is the only way. I walk the dog if I’m home, take a tour of the office if I’m not, and try to get a view of the Hudson River anyway.

-Anisa Arsenault

I always look forward to a matcha tea and a balanced, nutritious snack, like nuts and dried fruit, around 3 p.m. It helps me get through the afternoon. I also try to take a walk mid-afternoon, even if just for 10 minutes.

-Jamie Wolff

I get up and move. I try to cut off my coffee around noon, so when I get tired around 3 p.m., I get up and walk around the office or my apartment. Moving my body for just 5-10 minutes always helps me feel more alert and refreshed.

-Jenna Anderson

If I’m running out of steam after lunch, a single glass of espresso perks me up pretty quickly, even more so if it’s a brisk walk to the corner store rather than a few steps to my kitchen.

-Amanda Doyle

I like to either take a short walk with my dog ​​to get some fresh air, or put on the happiest, most danceable music I can find and let it cheer me up.

-Tori Partin

A big trend among our editors seems to be movement. Taking a walk or doing a quick workout does the trick for many Health publishers. Maybe something else would work for you. You can try any of the following methods to get an afternoon energy boost:

• Eat a healthy snack: Try fresh fruits or vegetables with hummus. Avoid sugary snacks.
• Stay hydrated: Keep a water bottle nearby and set reminders to take hydration breaks.
• Do light exercises: This may include stretching, short walks, or desk exercises.
• Practice breathing exercises: Box breathing or deep breathing can provide an energy boost.
• Take a nap: Find a quiet, dark place and take a 10 to 20 minute nap.
• Consume caffeine: Caffeine can take up to 30 minutes to take effect. If you consume caffeine and take a nap, you should drink caffeine and then nap for 20 minutes to feel the full effects.