[Ro]

Question for you: I keep hitting a middle-of-the-afternoon mental and physical block. I suddenly feel so tired that I don't want to do a thing. My productivity goes down the drain, assuming that I can keep working at all.

Do you have any techniques for getting through it? Or should I take this new mid-afternoon shut down as a message that I should think about stop working at that point, particularly if I have been productive that morning.

Part of me wants to simply go off and goof off. Part of me feels guilty when I do go off and goof off. Part of me thinks I'm ridiculous that I feel guilty that I want to go off and goof off.

What would you do if you were me?

[Cheri T]

I'd first make sure it isn't hypoglycemia, as that is easily fixed with a little snack.
Then, you know how some employers supposedly allow a tiny little power nap (like 10-15 minutes) after lunch? Well I've heard rumors anyway....the point is, productivity would be higher if the workers who needed it got the 15 minute power nap, than if they just try to slog through.
My SAHM power nap I do occasionally is to sit sideways on the couch and lay my head along the back cushion. It's comfortable, but not comfortable enough to sleep for hours, lol. If I think I need it, I'll set the kitchen timer for 15-20 minutes and force myself to get up then, whether I've actually been asleep or not. And then I feel energized.
I hope that works for you too.
Another thought would be to take a brisk walk around the block, or up and down a flight of stairs in your home a couple times, and then a few jumping jacks, and then get back to work:)

[teecee]

I think Cheri's advice is excellent. Whatever you do, I don't think you should feel guilty about it!

[~*Kiana*~]

She gave great advice. I too as a SAHM feel the slump and will take a nap, I do the same, lay back on the couch so I don't sleep too long. LOL
But also, maybe a snack, walk, or if you've been productive then just goof off until the next day. I do that too, with my homework. If I've done the work for the week early enough then on Thursday wanna slack off I can.

[Ro]

A nap. A nap. I should have taken a nap.

Eating something besides a handful of Easter candy would have been a good idea. Ir would probably be a good idea if I put something healthy together for me to quickly grab instead of waiting until I feel too lousy to do it.

As would a walk.

Very good advice.

Maybe it was hypoglycemia. My brain simply shuts down. That happens with hypoglycemia, right?

[Cheri T]

Ro, on 29 March 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

A nap. A nap. I should have taken a nap.

Eating something besides a handful of Easter candy would have been a good idea. Ir would probably be a good idea if I put something healthy together for me to quickly grab instead of waiting until I feel too lousy to do it.

As would a walk.

Very good advice.

Maybe it was hypoglycemia. My brain simply shuts down. That happens with hypoglycemia, right?

Maybe some trail mix? A little bit of sweet along with slightly salty protein?
Hypoglycemia often starts as grumpiness, but can be tiredness/unproductiveness. Late symptom is shakiness.
Good luck - I hope something works for you!

[SandiC.]

This is common...I sort of hit the wall around 2:30 to 3 a lot of days. What I have found helps is to move around, a little walk if possible, preferably outdoors, but most of all a big glass of water. I think our lack of good hydration takes about that long to catch up. Hypoglycemia isn't really very common and most often we do not need fuel at this time. But sometimes, maybe. But a protein snack and not sugar is the ticket. Maybe a few raw almonds or walnuts and a piece of fresh fruit. I've been finding I do much better when I take a ginseng supplement in the morning.

[Belle]

I like the nap and snack part. The walking part......not so much.

[mimes1]

For me it's a walk and a glass of water or two. Usually two. But of course the urge is to lay down and go to sleep. Depending on what's going on sometimes I have to take that nap, but usually the water and quick short walk takes care of it.

[Sara Arell]

I really like Cheri's ideas, Ro - it's funny, I do the same thing on my couch - that few minutes of a little nap really helps power me back up and I'm usually ready to go after I do that. I don't do much snacking on sweet things but sometimes I do finish my lunch if I start to wind down - my appetite is so small that I never eat a whole sandwich or really eat all of anything I have for lunch so I am sure my body is telling me I need more fuel. I have to eat really small portions and while sometimes I think that's good for me, I know I'm not giving my body enough fuel for the day! I'm really bad for skipping any food at all sometimes until mid afternoon too which will almost always bring me down around 2 or so......but that's me and I've always been like that so it isn't anything new to my body. Still not good, I know.

[healthyscraps]

Ro. I guess I would first make sure it is not medically related. I agree with you your body is telling you something. I'm not a day napper, it would make me feel worse. I know indeed to make sure I have eaten sufficient protein at meal times, which also helps with snacking. I know I don't feel my best without regular exercise. I imagine you are no slacker (Aussie for lazy) and should not feel guilty for having a bit of time out when you have really been productive. Enjoy the time, it may be just the thing you need to refresh and energise.

[princessrunningfingers]

Sunds like you have gotten some great advice on things to do. My advice would be, whatever you do, try not to feel guilty about it.

[SodScrap]

My first thought goes right along with Cheri's advice. Snacks, water, power nap. I will usually grab some almonds for a snack. If you aren't eating small meals/snacks every 2 1/2 to 3 hours, it could be a lack of fuel for your body.

Now, speaking as a business owner whose office is also in the home...sometimes it's more of need to change scenery. You know how it is when you get to the office and then you are stuck there for hours and hours!!! So, when my mind goes on vacation sometimes I LEAVE THE OFFICE. (gasp!!) If it's nice, I grab my kindle and sit on the deck. Sometimes I call a friend to chat. Sometimes I power nap...sometimes I totally crash on the bed. My theory is...why be sitting in the office if I'm not really productive. It's not gaining anything for anybody. Maybe a trip to the grocery store? Go to a nearby park with a camera? A quick walk down the block and back? If I had a starbucks close, I might go there with my book OR a notebook and pen to write thoughts/goals/ideas/lists down to get the "stuff out of my head". (Closest starbucks or "anything" is about 30 miles so that isn't an option for me) It doesn't have to be for the rest of the day. It can be 30 minutes or 2 hours...or the rest of the day!!

OH...and I do not feel guilty about it. I know exactly what you mean though. It's hard to be "everything to everybody" for your business!! Now...about feeling guilty. I've even been "caught" before when my DH comes home from work in the middle of a work day and finds me on the porch...book in hand. He gives me a hard time...teases me, but it's all good. And we laugh about it. I'll say something like "I decided I'm the boss and can leave whenever I want" or "Yeah, reading sounded more fun than payroll". (Ok, I've never read instead of running payroll, but you get the idea) He'll say something like "must be nice to be CEO of such a successful company that you can just leave the office for the afternoon" or "maybe I need me a job like that, my boss wouldn't let me have the afternoon off"...and we laugh.

I'm not sure why it is so hard to feel all balanced in this area!!

With this said, today is Friday and I'm taking the day off!! I have a hair appointment this morning. Then running errands. And I'm going to enjoy it!

[Vaughnde]

I agree. A Nap, a power walk, a change of scenery, a snack. Anything you need and do NOT feel guilty. I'll be 50 shortly and I tell ya I DO take naps when needed. Jamie wears me out when I have him and yep, there are days when we both nap at the same time.

[Smiles]

Ro, you make decisions all day long. That burns glucose, and your brain needs a break! As long as you're doing something healthy (healthy snack, glass of water, power nap, a little stretching, a walk, a little guided meditation) it probably doesn't matter what it is. Maybe your body will tell you what it wants. But it's not goofing off or being irresponsible - it's self care. Your body doesn't like it when you overwork!

[SodScrap]

Smiles, on 30 March 2012 - 11:55 PM, said:

Ro, you make decisions all day long. That burns glucose, and your brain needs a break! As long as you're doing something healthy (healthy snack, glass of water, power nap, a little stretching, a walk, a little guided meditation) it probably doesn't matter what it is. Maybe your body will tell you what it wants. But it's not goofing off or being irresponsible - it's self care. Your body doesn't like it when you overwork!

Very well said Gayle!