Slump busting

Many of us experience an afternoon slump.  We can choose to get through it with coffee or sugar, but here are some other ideas that might work better.

• A quick walk.  Even ten minutes can get our heart rate up and our mood boosted.  And yes, we can get away from our desks that long; it isn’t really longer than going to get that coffee.

• Some water.  Often we are cranky because we are dehydrated.  We can add a slice of lemon or a sprig of mint if we also want a mini-vacation.

• A stretch.  Sitting still can really hurt our bodies.  Standing up and stretching for a minute or two can make all the difference.

• A healthy snack.  This is not the time to raid the candy jar.  Maybe a little hummus and veggies or an apple and nut butter sound good.  A handful of nuts or a piece of string cheese can also be good.  We want to give ourselves a little energy and some staying power, not just a burst of simple carbohydrates that raise and then drop our blood sugar.

• A few deep breaths.  We can re-center ourselves and give our brains a chance to focus. 

None of this stuff is a substitute for general healthy living with real exercise, real rest, real food, real relationships, and meaningful work.  It is offered as an adjunct to all that.  We can do this.