I’ve already written a few times about napping, but I know that’s not always an option for every office worker. So, what can you do to get through the mid-afternoon slump if you can’t slip away for a nap?
The post-lunch vitality dip affects your productivity and mood, so you probably want to do something to deal with your afternoon slump.
I asked a sleep researcher about this problem, and she offers these suggestions:
- Eat a banana. The potassium in the banana can help boost your alertness.
- Avoid cheese, milk, and nuts. These foods can cause drowsiness.
- Get outside for at least 15 minutes. Even on a cloudy day in a northern city, you’ll get enough light to boost your alertness.
None of these measures is as effective as a nap, so keep trying to figure out a way to work a nap into your afternoon routine.
About Today’s Tipster
I interviewed Reta Wright-Kinghorn, a sleep researcher at the University of Washington’s UW Medicine Sleep Disorders Center.