How To Avoid The 3:00 P.M. Crash
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Snapple®. The opinions and text are all mine.
Are you a victim of the 3:00 p.m. crash? I’m talking about that weird thing that happens around 3:00 p.m. when you’ve been working all day, and suddenly you can’t keep your eyes open. It’s like something comes over you, and you just want to stretch out for a nap. The crazy thing with the 3:00 p.m. crash is when you leave work, you’re wide awake like this thing never happened!
I’m sure a lot of you are like me. We sit at our desks knowing that the crash is on the way. My signal is when I start reading the same thing over and over and not understanding what I just read. Sometimes my eyes even start to get really heavy. I’m getting tired just thinking about it! What if I told you that there are ways to avoid crashing before your work day is over? Well, it’s possible, and I’m going to share my tips with you.
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Take A Break
If your employer permits breaks, I suggest taking a 5-10 minute break. A simple step back from your desk and the task at hand is enough to refresh your mind and help you focus for the rest of the work day. I like to take a 10-minute walk around the building in the afternoon. The fresh air and the sunshine on my face help keep me alert for the last two hours of my work day. The walk gives me a boost of energy, and I am ready to complete the rest of my tasks. Not only does taking a walk break help me to avoid the 3:00 p.m. crash, but it also counts towards my daily exercise.
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Have A Snack
Sometimes the only thing that will keep you awake during the 3:00 p.m. crash is a quick snack. I turn to this option more than I care to admit. Snacks are my weakness when I feel tired. While I know it’s not the best solution, sometimes I head straight for the vending machine. Other times, I pack a snack in my bag on the way out the door in the morning. My favorite snack to pack is a green apple and mixed nuts. This snack is quick to grab and easy to eat at my desk. The tartness of the apple wakes me up, and the mixed nuts keep me full until I make it home.
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Stay Hydrated
At times I notice that I’m not hungry, but I still need something to help me wake up and stay alert, so I opt for a drink. I drink a ton of water throughout the day, but I like something with a bit more flavor to help me reset when my body is crashing. Whether you drink water or another drink is up to you, just be sure to hydrate throughout the day.
My favorite drink to have during the crash for the past couple of weeks has been Snapple® Takes 2 to Mango™ Tea. It is a new flavor that is a delicious blend of black and green teas with a splash of mango. I love this tea since it is so refreshing. It has the perfect amount of flavor, and it helps me reset, refocus, and finish the day strong. I pick up my Snapple Mango Tea during my weekly trip to Walmart, and I bring them all to my office. Whenever I feel myself crashing at work, I have my tea ready to go.
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Eat Fewer Carbs At Lunch
Enjoying a carb-loaded lunch tastes great at the moment, but it could be causing you to crash later in the day. I have noticed that when I eat at a restaurant, I order some sort of pasta or something unhealthy that I never cook at home. I think of these lunches as treats, but I can guarantee that I will be sleepy and sluggish in a couple of hours. Those foods are high in carbs and low in protein which causes blood sugar levels to go crazy. Eating food with a balanced amount of carbs and protein will help avoid the crash. A medium sized meal with lean protein, vegetables, and fruit is perfect to regulate blood sugar levels. This will keep you awake and alert for the home stretch of the work day.
It is not hard to implement these simple changes to make the most out of your work day. Eating a balanced lunch will help increase your productivity, and it is also great for your body. Taking a break is something that we should all be doing to avoid sitting for eight hours of our day. It is also excellent for our mental and physical health. A small snack helps regulate blood sugar, and a drink is a great way to produce a burst of energy to get you through the rest of the day. I would love to know if these tips work for you. Let me know if you try them, and leave a few of your secrets for avoiding the 3:00 p.m. crash in the comments!
Don’t forget to visit your local Walmart to try Snapple Mango Tea while you’re out. I love it, and I’m sure you will too! #Takes2ToMangoTea #Walmart
