Day in and day out I hear the same complaints from the same people. I hear how tired they are, how stressed they are, etc. A week will go by and those same exact complaints will be repeated, by those same people. Complaining is natural and we all do it. The key is to correct the situation versus standing idle and accepting it.

One of the more common complaints generally comes right after lunch. Yes, we’re talking about the afternoon slump that occurs because something has sucked out every bit of energy you had. This lunch coma can be a huge show-stopper for some.

However, the good news is, you don’t have to feel like that every day. There are countless ways to raise your energy levels quite naturally and intentionally.

Sleep enough

Duh! You might not think of the obvious cause, but if you consistently feel tired in the afternoon and lack energy, it could be due to lack of sleep. Often a small adjustment of your sleeping habits can already do wonders for your energy levels. Experiment and find out what your optimal sleep levels are.

Get juiced up

Instead of eating a massive, greasy breakfast, try something quick and healthy. How about some fruit and vegetable juice instead? Not only will you get heaps of vitamins, minerals and fiber, but fresh juice will put vitality back into your life for sure.

A heavy breakfast takes far too long to digest, while a juice is light and preserves your energy.

Curb your caffeine addiction

If you are a serious coffee addict you might not be happy about this suggestion. I wasn’t either 20 years ago. Back then I used to survive on about 7 cups of coffee a day and eventually my addiction became so bad that I started to experience nervous heart flutters in the afternoon.

As a result, I did the radical and cut coffee from my diet for a while. I have to say it did work wonders for my energy levels and my nervous system. Today, I’m a coffee lover instead, meaning I have to have one good brewed coffee a day to get my fix.

Walk this way

A quick 10-minute walk can do wonders for a sluggish metabolism. The combination of fresh air and exercise is ideal to get your heart pumping while the blood rushes to your brain, energizing those wary brain cells.

Say no to sugar and carbohydrates

These are the devils of modern fast food. Even worse, they get us addicted to all the crappy low fat produce on the supermarket shelves. Natural sugar as it is contained in fruit is so much better for you, but even so, everything should be in balance.

Biscuits, cakes, most cereal, lollies and other high carb snacks should be banned from your household. Not only will you feel better by cutting out those fake foods, but your waste line will also thank you for it.

Yoga or stretching

I love to stretch. That is probably one reason why I love yoga so much. When we stretch and release our muscles, we allow the blood to flow unhindered through the body, allowing us to energize within minutes.

A great way to refresh your energy levels in the afternoon is to do a 10-minute stretching session. Stretch your legs, toes, torso, arms, hands, shoulders and neck with gentle movements.

Deep breathing exercise

Another great way to re-energize your body is with a quick deep breathing exercise. Sit on a chair with a straight back and breathe deeply while you focus on your breath going in – going out. At the same time use a powerful affirmation to invigorate your mind and body.

I like this one because you can do this at work without being caught by your fellow workers.

Essential water

Since humans are made up of around 70 percent water, we need water to keep our life sustained. If you feel sluggish, the first thing you should look for is dehydration. Our brain can only function at optimum levels with enough hydration and when there is lack of water, the first signs of warning from the body is often tiredness, as it tries to preserve our vital energies.

Conventional suggestions tell us to drink at least 2 liters of water a day, but this has been the cause for many discussions, because people who live in a hot climate need a lot more water than those who live in colder regions. Remember the golden rule on this, if you are thirsty, drink water.

Repeating the same behaviors everyday but expecting a different result is a fool’s game. If you get tired every day, shake things up a little!

What do you (or will you do) to kick your energy levels back into gear when the afternoon slump hits you?

Written on 10/31/2008 by Monika Mundell. Monika Mundell is a passionate freelance writer and pro-blogger. Her blog Freelance Writing helps new freelance writers to get started in this exciting industry. If you like to work with Monika, feel free to visit her Portfolio site. Photo Credit: littledan77