We’ve all felt it. You know, the lethargic feeling that overwhelms you after you’ve had that extended lunch break.
Trying to refocus your mind and sit back down at your desk (or bed, couch, wherever the makeshift desk is nowadays) to complete several more hours of work or study doesn’t seem so appealing when you’ve got plenty to distract you at home.
So, how can we overcome the afternoon dip? Is it possible? Well, we think there are certainly things you can do to help maximise your productivity for the hours that you’re working.
1. Prioritise your tasks
Be strategic. Don’t leave all your complex and harder tasks for the afternoon when you’re the least productive. At the start of the day set out your goals and aim to tackle the tasks that require the most concentration when you’re fresh and switched on.
There’s nothing worse than getting back to your desk after lunch knowing you’ve got to start writing an essay or compiling a report requiring statistical analysis. That’s no fun. Aim to get your essay written in the morning, for example, and just use the afternoon to read over it and make any necessary amendments. Do the bulk of the work in the morning when you’re at peak concentration.
2. Eat a healthy and balanced lunch
There’s nothing worse than trying to prepare yourself for an afternoon of study or work on a heavy stomach. Two large bowls of pasta for lunch might sound like a tasty idea, but you’re likely to feel uncomfortable and lethargic once you’ve eaten it.
According to Business Insider, eating too many empty carbs (food high in sugar but low in protein), our blood-sugar levels spike, but when they drop several hours later we experience a “crash” in energy levels. Additionally, eating too much fat can make us feel tired, because our body has to work harder to break them down.
So, aim to eat a balanced lunch, an equal amount of protein and carbs. The protein helps to protect your blood sugar from sharp peaks and falls and keeps energy levels steady.
