Kick the Midday Crash to the Curb
By Rachel Shouse
Maintaining steady energy levels throughout the day is starting to feel like a never-ending battle. Or is it just me? I'm a morning person, usually the first person up in my home, but it takes me awhile to get going. You may be the complete opposite. Everyone's different. Understanding and learning common causes of the midday slump is step No. 1. After you do that, try to make changes -- keeping it simple, of course. Overcomplicating this process could cause you to stumble. This then causes a discouraging feeling and then you might even give up.
Why Is the Midday Slump so Common?
I was surprised to find out that most people experience a midday slump. Some blame coffee, lack of exercise, a poor diet, etc., for the sleepiness they or someone they know experiences throughout their day.
There are medical backings to this as well. Your body releases melatonin and other chemicals at night in order to make you feel tired. This happens in the middle of the day too, just at a much smaller scale.
Take It Slow and Keep It Simple
While this stretch of sleepiness is normal, it can be worsened by things you're doing. Drinking too much coffee, for example, has proven to cause extreme grogginess once the main effects wear off. If you're struggling in this area, consider changing parts of your diet and/or your exercise routine.
It's important to set yourself up for success every day. Starting with a healthy breakfast, packed with protein and healthy vitamins and minerals, is essential. Don't totally avoid coffee. Caffeine is also able to jumpstart your metabolism a bit. Overdoing it is what will cause problems.
Doctors also recommend that you get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day or two hours per week. Doing this reduces your risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and more. Don't dread this time. Make it enjoyable for you. That's really important for those who want to make this a lifestyle change.
Simple Changes That Genuinely Help
This part of the day can be so terribly discouraging. Don't let this portion of your day knock you down. When this part of the day approaches, be prepared. I find that lying down for 30 minutes can be really helpful. I don't sleep most of the time. I do set a timer though. Setting up that boundary helps keep me from taking advantage, which can cause the laziness to last far longer than necessary.
Quick tip: Drinking water has surprisingly wonderful effects when it comes to your energy levels. Taking a quick break, taking deep breaths, and drinking a glass of water are all very therapeutic.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Humble, Tex.