Homemade Treatments on How to Beat the Afternoon Slump

It's that stretch of time in the afternoon somewhere between after-lunch and quitting time when you could easily lay your head on your desk and drift into Lullaby Land. This lackadaisical, unproductive loll in our day is known as the "Afternoon Slump." If your "sleep tank" is running on "Empty" from the night before, it's no wonder your eyelids feel heavy and your head's dropping. But, whether you get enough sleep or not, this energy-robbing problem can still hit you. Don't take it lying down! You can use these homemade treatments on how to beat the afternoon slump!

Resist Sugary "Quick Fixes"
Even though you're going to feel the urge to grab a sugary drink or eat a candy bar when the Afternoon Slump makes you feel sluggish, avoid a "quick fix." Snacks like these will gear up your blood sugar level, but only for a short time. After that, you're going to be worse off than before when your blood sugar level bottoms out.

Instead, a homemade treatment on how to beat the afternoon slump is to choose a snack that contains protein, along with some carbohydrates. Peanut butter crackers, yogurt, an energy bar or a small bowl of soup with lots of vegetables and some meat or chicken in it are much better choices.

Grab a Tall Drink of Water
Even if you're not hungry, being hydrated by the afternoon can throw your body into an Afternoon Slump. To avoid this problem, make sure you drink plenty of water during the day to keep your body running efficiently. Coffee, tea and soft drinks don't count as "water" either. In fact, caffeinated beverages can actually dehydrate your body. So reach for the water instead!

Take a Laugh Break
Laughing is a homemade treatment that can relieve stress. Not only that, but taking a laugh break can help revitalize you physically and mentally and throw off that Afternoon Slump. Get up and go share a laugh or two with your co-workers. If you work at home alone, grab a Reader's Digest and look up the joke sections. Or, take a few minutes and call up a friend you can smile with.

Massage Your Ears to Gain Energy
According to Dr. Mark Hyman, the Editor-in-Chief of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine", massaging your ears can help fend off the Afternoon Slump.
Hyman recommends removing any earrings first, then rubbing your entire ears using your fingertips. The rubbing should help give you more energy.

Mint Can Help Pep You Up
Chewing mint gum, sucking on a mint lozenge, smelling minty vapors or sipping a strong cup of mint tea are other homemade treatments on how to beat the afternoon slump. A strong-tasting mint lozenge such as Altoids® brand can do the trick nicely.

Stand Up - Stretch - Sit Up Straight
Even if you can't leave your desk when the Afternoon Slump strikes, you can still beat it by using this homemade treatment: Stand up and stretch your arms and legs for a few minutes. Then, when you sit back down, be sure to sit up straight in your chair. By sitting up straight, more oxygen will reach your brain and your muscles- your entire body, in fact!