Tips to Eliminate Your Mid-Afternoon Energy Slump

Why does 3 pm have to feel so awful? You’re going through your day productively and then BAM! You crash.. And you feel like crap right up until about dinner time. How do you stop having a daily mid-afternoon energy slump?

The mid-afternoon energy slump?

Why does the mid-afternoon energy slump occur? It could be for a variety of reasons. But mid-afternoon is a prime time when the imbalances of the day catch up with you. If your body is off-balance, then this is when the problem will show.

If you experience a mid-afternoon slump on occasion, there’s nothing to worry about. You’ll get through the challenge of the day and things will be different tomorrow. If you have a mid-afternoon slump on a frequent basis or everyday, then there’s a problem.

Most often, the mid-afternoon slump is related to diet, and how your body is using energy. And this is literally the time of day when your body runs out of fuel. So today we’re talking about the mid-afternoon energy slump. And how you can move past having it be a daily occurrence.  

Eat a good breakfast with protein and fat

The type of breakfast you eat helps determine how you feel for the rest of the day. Let’s say you eat a meal high in sugar and quickly processed carbohydrates – think granola, pancakes or bagels. If you have a blood sugar imbalance, this sets the stage for an energy lag later.

So one of the first things to do if you find yourself consistently experience a slump later in the day is to reexamine breakfast. And switch your easily digested carbs to protein and fat. Think turkey hash, a vegetable omelet, or a high protein smoothie on the go.

Move to a lower processed carbohydrate diet altogether

Notice I didn’t say to give up carbohydrates. But it’s worth examining the amount of processed carbohydrates you consume daily. Even things that sound healthier like brown rice pasta or veggie chips can pack a high blood sugar punch.

Focus on including more low-glycemic carbohydrates in your diet to start transforming your energy levels in the afternoon. Good choices are most non-starchy vegetables, quinoa, and legumes. Things like oatmeal and brown rice are better too, but should be consumed with a bit more moderation.

This might seem like changes you might make if you’re trying to lose weight. And while these two problems can go hand and hand, you don’t need to be overweight to have a blood sugar imbalance. If you’re dragging in the afternoon, this is probably something for you.

Get moving on your lunch break

If you have time to run to the gym, or take a mid-afternoon exercise class, that’s great. But let’s get honest. You probably don’t have the time. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have time to move. What about taking a walk on your lunch break?

A little gentle movement in the afternoon can energize you in a couple of ways. First, exercise releases energizing endorphins. Second, movement helps insulin-sensitivity which improves blood sugar levels and your mid-afternoon energy slump.

Take stress relieving breaks during your day

Adrenal burnout is a real thing. And when your stress hormones aren’t working correctly, you can experience exhaustion at times you shouldn’t. Plus, excess stress hormones in the body contributes to excess insulin. Meaning that stress can also influence blood sugar.

Healing adrenal burnout is a complicated subject. It can’t be solved by anything presented in just a short blog post. But here are some ways to move your adrenals in the right direction and help minimize the mid-afternoon energy slump – 

*Take breaks during the day to breath. Focus on a long slow exhale. And as you exhale, picture stress leaving your body.

*Go to bed as close as 10 pm as you can every night. Staying up late was unusual before the invention of electricity. Your body goes on alert when you stay up late, releasing the energy-boosting stress hormone cortisol. This is why you get a second wind. But it’s not good for your stress level or adrenals.

*Consider taking adaptogenic herbs. These helps your body with the stress response. Some examples are ashwagandha, magnolia bar, rhodiola, and kava kava.

Go easy on caffeine

It’s natural if you’re tired in the morning to get yourself going with a cup or two of coffee. But you can start experiencing problems if you’re surviving on a caffeine and sugar rush. Because it’s inevitable that you’ll eventually come crashing down.

I’ve talked recently about alternatives to coffee and ways to balance your caffeine consumption. This is worth looking into if you feel you need more than just a cup of joe to get through. Because a morning caffeine high can quickly lead you to a mid-afternoon energy slump.

Be prepared with afternoon energizing snacks

If you’re experiencing a mid-afternoon energy slump, there’s a good chance that you’re also experiencing hunger. But the worst thing you can do is run to the office snack machine  or grab a Frappuccino. Because you’ll just create another caffeine/ sugar crash.

Choose things like a cup of unsweetened yogurt with fruit. Maybe an apple with a handful of nuts. Or consider a hard boiled egg. Things like this can provide some energy while helping regulate any type of sugar crash.

So these are some ways to eliminate a mid-afternoon energy crash. Just make sure to practice patience. True transformation happen when you execute healthy habits for a period of time. So choose daily to take small steps that will lead to better consistent energy throughout your day!

Join the FREE 5-Day No-Sugar Challenge (Meal plans with Recipes!)

Feel thinner, more energetic and younger. Your skin will glow. You'll start to crave less. And you'll just feel better. Plus get my free weekly tips to live the best life ever!

Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.