Seven Unconventional Ways to Keep Up Your Energy and Stay Alert at Work

We’ve all been there. It’s 3PM and the minute hand is slowing down faster than the economy. Your eyelids feel like they’re made of lead and the pile of paper on your desk just keeps growing. You can’t be arsed. You’re tired, fed up, grouchy and just want to go home. the next two hours feel longer than the rest of the day put together. How can you avoid this feeling, short of giving up work all together? Here are seven tips to help you out!

Try Sleeping LESS.

You’ve probably read how people need 8 hours of sleep a day right? That’s only an average, some people need less, some more. Some people find that too much sleep is infact just as detrimental to their energy as too little! I used to wake up at half six every morning and grumble before going back to sleep and waiting for my alarm. One day I decided ’screw it’ and just got up at that time.

Lo and behold! I felt far less tired through the rest of the day. The moral of the story is, if you think you’re getting enough sleep, but still feel tired, try sleeping less and see if that helps. Do this by getting up earlier though, rather than going to bed later.

Don’t eat meals. Graze!

Ever had a nice big meal, like a Sunday dinner or Christmas special? Notice how after eating a large amount of food, you get knackered? This is  reaction that allows the body to digest the food in relative peace without you running around and possible making yourself ill. However, it doesn’t help at work.

A far better way of eating is to eat a little a lot! Small amounts, but frequently. For breakfast have a bowl of cereal or some toast. Mid morning have an apple or chocolate bar. For lunch have a couple of sandwiches or a small portion of a meal. Mid afternoon, have a few biscuits or something along those lines. Then have a big dinner when you’re home.

This will spread your energy intake throughout the day, rather than leading to peaks and troughs that are associated with eating lots and then having nothing for hours.

Drink lots of fluids.

Tea and water are ideal for this. You need on average about 6 pints of water a day. Most office workers rarely get this. Try having a cup of tea every hour to two hours and you will find yourself feeling a lot more energized.  Water is also very good for you, and if you feel yourself flagging, a soft drink loaded with sugar and caffeine can give you a boost- just don’t overuse them! They will make you MORE tired as I will explain here.