Post-lunch writing sucks.
You're exhausted from being stuffed to the brim from lunch, sluggish with that full belly, drowsy from the morning the grind, and begging for that spark of energy that'll help you push through and finish your working hours.
If you're like most people, then you grab a cup of java to jolt your energy levels so you can hopefully feel that tinge of inspiration, motivation, and the last thrust of tenacity to at least get some work done.
We've all been there and it's horrible.
Sometimes that cup of coffee does the job and you survive. Other times you get an hour of energy, only to be slammed into a caffeine crash more tragic and paralyzing than an actual car crash. You did your best. All you could. Maybe tomorrow will be better?
Let's hope.
But if you want to grab as many hours of work as you can and push through that afternoon slump, then you'll need more than your hope, thoughts, and prayers to make it alive and have the most productive day.
Just because you're tired every day at 1pm or so, doesn't mean you have to live with it.
With a few small habits, you can have the formula to give you the rejuvenation and energy you want so you can be just as productive as you were in the morning - maybe even more so.
For me, I do a few small things that lets my blood flow freely, refreshes my mind like the Spring air, and gets me to hit the ground running just 20 minutes after lunchtime.
Before you let your energy drain out and you hit that afternoon wall, try these things out.
Go For A Walk
Small walks, even as short as 20 minutes have been a staple for some of the most creative minds the world has ever seen. Bill Gates, JK Rowling, Mark Twain, and even Ben Franklin would go on casual strolls.
Not only does this help you digest your food, but you clear your mind and get outside of the walls of the place you're walking in. Plus, the fresh air and movement do wonder for your mind.
So next time you're feeling a little sluggish, go for a little walk around the block to clear your mind, get your blood flowing, and energize yourself with some fresh air.
Stretch Yourself
5 minutes.
That's all you need.
Give yourself freakin' 5 minutes to reach for the sky, grab your toes, and stretch your sedentary, office-stranded, desk-ridden body.
In the summer of 2019, I took a long-ass flight to the Philippines to see family members I haven't seen in years. When I mean long, I mean like 12-15 hours. That's right.
That's 12-15 hours to entertain myself with B-list movies you'd ONLY watch on an airplane. And that also means 12-15 years of sitting cramped up, rolled up, and stuck in an uncomfortable chair that felt like a prison.
Inside the pocket of the chair was a little pamphlet that had suggested stretches the passenger should do. I gave it a quick run-through and two minutes later I'm practically doing yoga in front of the airplane bathroom.
It felt so good I almost passed out because of the blood rush.
If you're feeling tired after lunch and wanna call it a day, do a quick stretch and let your muscles get shocked into the pleasure of a good stretch.
Your body and will thank you.
Nap Like A Boss
You're not 5-years old anymore but that's totally fine.
I remember when I was a kindergarten teacher in Budapest, I was always a little jealous of the children taking a nap right after lunch. I felt bad that I couldn't take one myself, but then I realized it's actually not a law to stop napping after university so then I started taking them myself in the English Teachers' office.
Today, I strategically use napping to recharge, reset, and rejuvenate for part 2 of the day.
Don't think I'm dozing off for 2-3 hours though.
Studies show that the best naps are somewhere between 20-30 minutes. Anything after that will only make you drowsy, groggy, and asking what year it is.
That half-hour is enough for you to gain some clarity, knock the tiredness out of you, and help push you through some more words.
Bonus Tip:
Not sure where I heard this. Actually, I think it was from a podcast with Chuck Palahniuk or copywriter John Carlton, but I learned a cool trick with naps and coffee.
One of those guys said it typically takes 15-20 minutes for a coffee to fully hit you. So if you take a short nap and wake up after 20 minutes, your coffee hits you and you're hitting the ground running.
I do it and it kicks brain for the rest of the day.
Try it and let me know what you think.
In The End
I totally understand that the Afternoon Slump absolutely sucks, especially if you're someone who has their creative energy at their highest in the morning.
The above three suggestions are just what I do daily to push myself just a little bit further and get more work done.
Because of these three, I can crank out 20+ sales emails, landing pages, and more in just a few days. Sure, it's not easy. But these little habits have helped me out a lot.
What do you do?
Hit me up with your suggestions, I'd love to try some new things out.
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