Found: A Brain Coach's Tip To Overcome The Afternoon Slump

If you're one of the many folks reaching for another coffee around 2 p.m., you're likely a victim of the afternoon slump.

No matter how well you slept the night before, sometimes this dreadful feeling is just unavoidable—but pushing through the weariness might not be the best option. 

Rather than forcing your way through the slump, "I always talk about doing a brain break," he suggests. "During your brain break, you do three things that are nourishing for you, three things that your brain needs: You move, you hydrate, and you breathe—something simple like that."

See, your brain is only 2% of your body mass but requires 20% of the energy1, he says—so it's essential to refuel your noggin throughout the day. 

This isn't to say there's no room for caffeine or focus supplements later in the day—some people can handle the extra nudge and fall asleep with ease later on. Just be mindful of how that ritual makes you feel and consider coupling it with a proper brain break (like, say, a quick afternoon stroll) as well.

If your schedule feels way too busy to take 10 minutes for a few of these mini brain breaks on a whim, you may want to actively pencil in this time for yourself. Make it a part of your lunch break or reserve a few minutes when you know you tend to feel your afternoon slump.