DON'T WISH FOR IT. WORK FOR IT.

If you have ever suffered that mid day slump you know what it feels like to want to just put your head down for a few minutes and stop whatever you are doing to rest. Or to have to run to the local coffee shop so you can order the strongest cup to get you through the rest of the day.

Some of the major reasons for the afternoon slump are unbalanced blood sugar, adrenal/thyroid issues, sleep issues, lack of oxygen and movement. 

Here are some solutions on how to beat the mid day slump.

Balance Blood Sugar. Unbalanced blood sugar can cause you to have energy highs and lows throughout the day. Eat well balanced meals containing fiber, lean protein and complex carbohydrates every few hours to keep blood sugar and keep energy stable.

Get outside and get some sunlight. Sunlight gives us energy, it is also how our body makes Vitamin D, which is crucial for energy levels. Going outdoors and exposing yourself to natural sunlight is a natural way to get an energy boost. 

Start your day with a high protein breakfast. Eating a breakfast that is high in protein can set your day up for increased energy. When eating too many carbohydrates at breakfast it can set your day up for an energy crash, but when you balance it with lean proteins you will be able to keep your energy up during the day. 

Check your blood work. There can be many reasons for daily exhaustion can occur and analyzing your blood work by a professional can help you figure it out. Your thyroid, adrenals, iron levels and vitamin and mineral deficiencies can all play a role in your daily energy levels. 

Address your Thyroid. Having under functioning can not only be source of exhaustion but also extreme frustration. When your thyroid isn’t working at optimal levels it can cause exhaustion, weight gain, and many other health issues. See your doctor to have a full panel of blood work done on your thyroid and then work with a professional who specializes in thyroid to help to bring it to optimal levels. 

Iron levels. Decreases in iron in the body can be another hidden reason for feeling run down or tired in your daily life.  Iron deficiency can occur from not eating enough foods that contain iron or when you body has poor digestive absorption.  Symptoms of iron deficient anemia include fatigue, poor concentration, reduced physical and mental endurance.  

Adrenals. When we continuously stress the body through extreme dieting, excessive working out, environmental stresses, sleep deprivation or just the stress of life in general the adrenals will suffer. If we are constantly stressed by any of the reasons I previously listed our bodies will react by having high cortisol levels.  Continuously having elevated levels of cortisol will stress the adrenals which leads to us feeling exhausted.  When your adrenals are stressed making you feel exhausted all the time you want to reduce stressors in the body to help restore balance.  

Use aromatherapy. Aromatherapy can help to increase energy by working on a cellular level in the body. Peppermint, Citrus Oils, and Eucalyptus can all help to increase energy. Place a few drops on the palm of your hands or the bottom of your feet and take a deep inhale of the sent to help boot energy naturally. 

Sip on Green Tea. Green tea not only contains a large amounts of antioxidants but also contains caffeine that can help boost energy. 

Move around. Take a few moments to step away from your desk or computer and move around.  This will bring new oxygen and blood flow to your body and help to increase energy.