Do you feel sleepy in the mid-afternoon?  Do you rely on another cup of coffee, or some sweets, to “keep you awake” until your workday is over?  If so, you’re not alone.  The “mid-afternoon” drop is real.

There are healthy ways to eliminate the mid-afternoon drop that don’t rely on caffeine or sugar.

This week and next, we’ll share tips to defeat the mid-afternoon drop.

Five Ways to Defeat the Mid-Afternoon Drop

Dehydration can make you sluggish.  If you notice you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.  What you drink makes all the difference.  Keep a glass of water nearby, sip from it regularly, and refill it often.  Avoid sugary juices, caffeinated drinks, and artificial sweeteners.  Herbal tea is good, but fresh water is best.

Healthy snacks are good for you.

Another factor that affects both physical and mental energy levels is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.  It occurs when there is an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.  The easiest way to control it is to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

So don’t feel bad about a healthy snack mid-morning, and again mid-afternoon.  You’re keeping your blood sugar regulated and you’re minimizing your chances of overeating at mealtimes, or choosing unhealthy foods.

Watch your stress levels.

Long-term chronic stress is a contributing factor for hypoglycemia.  All stress is not bad, but when there is no relief from the stress—when high stress is a constant—your body isn’t able to regroup and recover.  Take steps to manage stress and reap the rewards.

If you’re not getting enough sleep, it’s not surprising that you’d start feeling draggy.  Sleep is not an optional activity that you can cut back on if you’re busy.  Your body needs rest to repair itself.  Fatigue can be a cry for more good-quality sleep.

Sitting still for hours on end isn’t just hard on your back – it also cues your body that it’s time to sleep.  The body associates stillness with sleeping.  Additionally, keeping the same position hour after hour puts undue pressure on your back.

Get up and walk around at least once an hour.

Stretch regularly. Shift your weight or change your position every 10-15 minutes.  Moving around will help to keep you alert and minimize your risk of back ache at the same time.

If your back aches at the end of the work day, Sheppard Chiropractic Centre can help.  Give us a call at (506) 635-8182 or (506) 847-7172 to make your appointment.

Next week, we’ll take a look at foods that help you to defeat the mid-afternoon drop.