Simple habits to make afternoons as productive as your mornings
This is part 2 of a collaborative series between YoRipe & Weavve Home.
Click HERE to read the first part on Morning Routines!
You probably know the feeling. The afternoon is when your energy level starts to dip and distractions have the most power. While most of us may be predisposed to this post lunch sluggishness, being mindful of certain habits and devising a routine around our lower energy levels can help fight the daily afternoon slump.
1. Stop While You’re Ahead
Rushing to fully complete a task before lunch might actually make it tough to get back in the swing of things after that.
Here’s a tip from Ernest Hemingway – “The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next.”
The key is to stop not when you’re finished, but when you know exactly what to do next. This method saves your cognitive energy and lowers the psychological barrier to returning to work since you know exactly how you’ll be spending your time. It is also linked to a phenomenon called The Zeigarnik Effect, which explains how the brain has a powerful need and will boost our energy to finish what it started.
2. Beating Food Coma
2 words: Food Coma. We’ve been there.. And we know you have been there too. Nothing’s more embarrassing than accidentally nodding off in front of your teacher or boss. So to avoid any incidents of that happening, YoRipe is here to help you keep you awake and productive throughout your afternoons.
Food Coma usually occurs more frequently after you eat meals rich in fat, refined carbohydrates or a high-calorie meal. Here are a few tips to help you beat the coma:
- Lower your Calories!
Avoid the heavy meals and go for lighter options instead! You can easily lower your calorie intake but by decreasing your sauces, making your portions smaller and also decreasing your intake of oily, fatty, fried or processed foods and cuts of meat!
- Eat at a slower pace
Scarfing down your food will tend to make you overeat as your brain doesn’t have time to signal to you that you’re full. So it’s best to pace yourself and avoid the risk of overeating and dozing off.
- Cut down on the Sugar!
Increased intake of sugar from your meals, desserts and drinks (eg. coffee, tea, soft drinks, fruit juices) can give your blood sugar levels a sudden spike, leading to a sugar crash that will leave you feeling sleepy and drained of energy. Decrease your intake of sugar during lunch to avoid this. If you must go for your afternoon coffee/tea, try going for the ‘no sugar’ option.
- Go for Wholegrains & Fibre!
Complex carbohydrates and fibre for lunch or snack will help fill you up AND provide you with long lasting energy without the sugar crash (and keep you full for longer so you don’t oversnack).
Wholegrain and fibre rich foods include:
- Wholemeal bread & pasta
- Brown rice
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Berries
- Oranges
Cooking from home? No problem! Here’s a recipe to help bust that Food Coma:
Try out the Singapore Style Healthy Fried Brown Rice Vermicelli recipe from the YoRipe app!
3. Tackle Easier Tasks
It’s important to know when the ebbs and flows in your energy will take place and plan your work schedule around it. Use slower points of the day to complete easier, logistical tasks, so as to build up momentum for bigger ones.
Scheduling calls for the afternoon are also great to limit procrastination and hold your attention during the afternoon when the mind is more likely to wander.
Breaking up your afternoon with tasks that involve more movement can help get your blood flowing, and provide you with the energy to refocus. This is also a good time to do some short stretches and exercises after sitting for long hours!
4. Recharge with Power Naps
While caffeine or sugary food may seem to be a great afternoon perk-me-up, there might be a better and healthier alternative – the power nap.
Many entrepreneurs and presidents are known to enjoy midday naps due to the wonders they bring – increased alertness, memory and better decision making. It also reduces stress and improves mood.
A power nap should be kept between 20 to 30 minutes, between 2-3pm for the optimal energy boost. Resting within this timeframe will not interfere with your sleep at night or cause grogginess upon wake.
The afternoon slump may be a hindrance, but it doesn’t have to ruin your day’s productivity. By working with your energy levels, and not against it, you can still get the best out of your days.
Take a quick snooze on Weavve’s 100% Tencel bed linen!
This article is part of a 3 Part series done in collaboration with YoRipe / Weavve Home.
About Weavve Home: Weavve Home is a direct to consumer home and living brand in Singapore. We design our own products, produce directly from factories, and cut out middlemen and physical retailers, bringing great quality products to our customers at great value.
Experience the finest threads and thoughtful design with Weavve’s luxuriously soft 100% Cotton & Tencel™ Bed Linen at weavvehome.com. Apply “weavve10off” to enjoy 10% off your first order.
About YoRipe: YoRipe is Singapore’s First personalised cooking & grocery app, with 20,000+ registered users and 1,500+ recipes from Asian fusion, Western, Baking and Desserts and much more. We strive to provide everyone a one stop cooking experience from shopping list to table!
Download our app here to check out our recipes and shop smarter with our grocery list.YoRipe is also having a Stay-at-Home Grocery Basket, where we deliver fresh ingredients and recipes made by local chefs straight to your home! Find out more and order now via this link.