Summary

The article outlines four strategies to combat the mid-afternoon energy slump without relying on sugar or caffeine, focusing on taking breaks, listening to energetic music, using a standing desk, and employing sensory stimulation.

Abstract

The author discusses the common experience of a mid-afternoon energy slump and presents four personal strategies to effectively counteract it. These include timing breaks to coincide with the slump, engaging in physical activity outdoors, listening to uplifting music to enhance concentration and energy, utilizing a standing desk to promote movement and better posture, and employing sensory stimulation such as essential oils to boost alertness. The author emphasizes the importance of these methods, especially for those who do not sleep well, to maintain energy levels throughout the day without resorting to sugary snacks or excessive caffeine.

Opinions

The author believes that taking a break around 1–2 pm is beneficial for overcoming the afternoon slump.
Engaging in outdoor activities or simply stepping away from the desk is seen as more effective than succumbing to a sugar rush or additional caffeine.
Listening to energetic music is suggested as a way to increase concentration and energy levels when unable to leave the desk.
The investment in a standing desk is considered worthwhile for improving posture, increasing movement, and maintaining energy.
The use of olfactory stimulation, particularly citrus and peppermint oils, is highly recommended for their energizing and alertness-boosting properties.
The author expresses a personal aversion to sugary snacks and excessive caffeine as solutions for low energy, stating that they lead to an even lower energy level afterward.
The author encourages readers to try these techniques and sign up for a Medium membership through their link to support their writing.

Four Quick Ways to Eliminate Symptoms of the 3 pm Slump

We all have slumped just before an important meeting. Here’s how to stop that from happening time and time again!

Sometimes when that slump hits me, my bedroom seems like the best place to rest and recuperate for a few minutes.

But, given my workload and busy life, that isn’t possible.

So I’ll leave the endless daytime napping up to my cat Henry.

The problem begins to magnify when we reach for something sweet to give us that much-needed energy boost.

Or maybe for you, it’s another cup of strong coffee.

That boost may last for about 30 minutes, but then we’re left with an even lower slump than we started.

Maybe, part of the problem results from a less than ideal sleep the night before?

Well, I’m the kind of person who barely sleeps well.

So if my teenager isn’t up all night talking, my partner and his incessant coughing or the dog barking, perhaps I’d have a bit more peaceful slumber.

But life is like that — hitting us with sleep-deprived curveballs all the time.

So, we can’t always rely on 8 hours of sleep, and that still leaves us wondering, if sugar can’t help us and we can’t get in those magical hours, what else is left?

Here are my top strategies for a person that doesn’t sleep well and refuses to resort to a sugar high for relief

One: aim to have a break close to that “slump time.”

The best thing I could ever do was take my lunch break somewhere between 1–2 pm.

That allows me to quickly duck out for a walk, breath in the fresh air and change my scenery from fluorescent lighting magnified by white walls, to somewhat green pastures and fluffy Toy Poodles.

That also helps to freshen up my state and get out of the staleness of an air-conditioned environment.

Sometimes I cannot get to green pastures and floral arrangements, and I take what I can get.

As long as you are doing something active that involves fresh air and the outdoors, you will move out of those waves of drowsiness a lot faster.

Two: If you can’t leave your desk, listen to some energetic music

Sometimes I can’t leave my desk at a particular time, due to a deadline or an important meeting.

So I plug in my headphones and listen to some uplifting and energetic beats.

Music can increase your concentration levels and rev up your energy levels.

We all have different types of music we love, but I highly recommend uplifting beats — not those slow and laborious love songs.

They will most definitely send you to sleep!

Three: Get up out of your chair & stand up!

One of the best investments I made was getting a standing desk.

Not only is it better for my posture, but I also move around whilst I work.

It also increases my energy levels when I’m having my slumping moment.

Now, don’t stand up all day, but get yourself up and standing straight to increase a bit of movement in your body and stop you from falling asleep in your chair.

Four: Sensory stimulation

I use a lot of olfactory stimulation during the day.

That means burning lots of essential oils that boost my energy and prepare me for relaxation (when the time comes, of course).

You can get the same effect by cutting an orange, lemon or anything zesty.

That smell in and of itself helps to increase your energy levels and gives off a refreshing aroma,

I like to burn particular citrus oils during the workday, as it helps boost my alertness.

Another easy thing you can do is get yourself a cloth and put some peppermint oil on it.

Smelling it during slump-induced moments will give you a nice little aromatic boost.

Use the power of aroma to wake you up and increase your alertness.

These are some of the best ways I’ve found to increase my alertness and energy levels during the day without resorting to food.

Food makes me more tired, but these techniques above never seem to fail me.

See which ones work best for you and keep doing them.

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