Ah our “best friend”, the afternoon slump, always manages to visit us shortly after lunch. By 2 or 3 p.m. our eyes gradually grow heavier and minds drift away, as our heads gently sway back and forth. We’ve all been through it. Now, let’s take a moment to actively fight the afternoon slump and get back on our feet to maximize productivity.
Exercise - Physical activity is inevitably a powerful method to combat the slump. Working the muscles, breathing in more oxygen, and raising the heart rate will instantly change your mood and alertness. Better yet, these workouts don’t have to be extensive or complex. Even if your schedule can only afford a quick 10 minute cardio workout, the time investment will surely boost your energy. As an alternative, stretching for a few minutes can also do the trick!
Study Sessions - Self-accountability hits rock bottom during these few drowsy hours. If you feel your productivity declining, one of the best ways to maintain accountability is by scheduling afternoon study sessions with friends or peers. Not only will watching each other study be motivating, but studying together will uplift the work atmosphere and alter the attitude going into working on your assignments.
Fresh Air - Open your windows! Allow your study space to fill with fresh air. The last thing you’d want to do is be enclosed in a room of stale air for several hours. If that isn’t an option, go outside, take a walk, and soak in some Vitamin D (which boosts your bone and muscle health, too) along the way!
Hydrate - Exhaustion and drowsiness are signs of dehydration. Drink water to rejuvenate your body. Make sure to get a sufficient water intake everyday. There are water intake calculators online, in case you’d prefer to calculate exactly how much water is necessary for your specific body-type and conditions.
Honest Planning - Sometimes, we have to be brutally honest with ourselves. I’ve had many moments where I found my schedule too ambitious half-way through the day. Over the course of a week, analyze when you are most productive and most lethargic. Understanding your pattern of efficiency can help you to balance the workload accordingly. If you know the afternoons are more challenging to concentrate or focus, plan to do your chores or simple tasks in the afternoon.
Diet - Treat yourself to healthy snacks like protein bars or carrots and hummus to lighten up your mood. However, most importantly, reduce your carbohydrate intake if you agree it’s been quite excessive. According to Sleep.org, excessive carbohydrate intake can induce an increased production of tryptophan which stimulates sleep. Run a trial and see for yourself if reducing carbs in your diet does the trick for you!
Tunes - Last but definitely not least, take a quick 5-10 minute break to unwind and listen to your favorite artists and songs. Studying or working on assignments and projects doesn’t have to be dull and monotonous! Allow yourself to enjoy some well-deserved breaks to flourish in your long-term academic experience.
Best of luck to you on your studies, and I hope the tips enhance your journey of fighting against the afternoon slump!
We hope you enjoyed this article. For more content on how to find your academic success, check out some of our articles here on Starry Scholar. If you have any questions/comments, feel free to leave them in our “Community Discussion” tab, or email us at @[email protected]! Remember, you got this ☆
Study Sessions - Self-accountability hits rock bottom during these few drowsy hours. If you feel your productivity declining, one of the best ways to maintain accountability is by scheduling afternoon study sessions with friends or peers. Not only will watching each other study be motivating, but studying together will uplift the work atmosphere and alter the attitude going into working on your assignments.
Fresh Air - Open your windows! Allow your study space to fill with fresh air. The last thing you’d want to do is be enclosed in a room of stale air for several hours. If that isn’t an option, go outside, take a walk, and soak in some Vitamin D (which boosts your bone and muscle health, too) along the way!
Hydrate - Exhaustion and drowsiness are signs of dehydration. Drink water to rejuvenate your body. Make sure to get a sufficient water intake everyday. There are water intake calculators online, in case you’d prefer to calculate exactly how much water is necessary for your specific body-type and conditions.
Honest Planning - Sometimes, we have to be brutally honest with ourselves. I’ve had many moments where I found my schedule too ambitious half-way through the day. Over the course of a week, analyze when you are most productive and most lethargic. Understanding your pattern of efficiency can help you to balance the workload accordingly. If you know the afternoons are more challenging to concentrate or focus, plan to do your chores or simple tasks in the afternoon.
Diet - Treat yourself to healthy snacks like protein bars or carrots and hummus to lighten up your mood. However, most importantly, reduce your carbohydrate intake if you agree it’s been quite excessive. According to Sleep.org, excessive carbohydrate intake can induce an increased production of tryptophan which stimulates sleep. Run a trial and see for yourself if reducing carbs in your diet does the trick for you!
Tunes - Last but definitely not least, take a quick 5-10 minute break to unwind and listen to your favorite artists and songs. Studying or working on assignments and projects doesn’t have to be dull and monotonous! Allow yourself to enjoy some well-deserved breaks to flourish in your long-term academic experience.
Best of luck to you on your studies, and I hope the tips enhance your journey of fighting against the afternoon slump!
We hope you enjoyed this article. For more content on how to find your academic success, check out some of our articles here on Starry Scholar. If you have any questions/comments, feel free to leave them in our “Community Discussion” tab, or email us at @[email protected]! Remember, you got this ☆