How to overcome the evening dip

Once the later hours start to roll in, it can be extremely difficult to keep your eyes open. After you’ve worked all day, you simply want to rest your head and fall asleep, but you have things to take care of. If you want to stay alert and productive into the later hours of your day, then check out these 10 helpful tips to overcome the evening dip.

Light Exercise

A couple sets of jumping jacks or a few pushups can get your blood pumping and wake you up. Exercise increases your heart rate, and when your heart rate increases, more oxygenated blood makes it to your brain. Some quick exercise can give you just the burst of energy that you need to make it through the rest of your day.

Caffeine

Whether you prefer coffee or tea, you can’t deny the effects of caffeine. A little bit of caffeine will get anyone moving. If you’re consuming caffeine in the evening, be careful not to drink too much. An excess of caffeine late in the day may keep you up at night. Furthermore, try not to overload your cup of coffee with sugar, cream, or sweeteners. A little is fine, but too much sugar or cream will make you crash very hard later.

Upbeat Music

Nothing gets people pumped quite like an upbeat tune. Plug your headphones in and jam out to your favourite song. Generally, faster tempos and sharper beats will wake you up better than slower songs. For the best results, try to stand up, move around, and focus on the drums.

Stop Looking at the Clock

If you have work to do, then staring at the clock isn’t going to help. When you see the time, it’ll remind you that you still have that much time left until you’re done. If you work on a computer, then try to hide your taskbar to avoid seeing the time. Otherwise, you can still avoid checking the time by focusing on your work instead of the clock.

Hydrate

Fatigue and dehydration feel very similar. Whether you’re fatigued or dehydrated, your eyes feel dry, your thoughts are blurry, and your muscles feel weak, so when you’re feeling tired, you may just need some water. A couple of glasses of cool water can rehydrate your eyes and make you feel a little more alert so that you can get back to business.

Watch Your Diet

Foods high in salt or sugar will dehydrate you, and sugary treats will also make you experience a sugar crash. A huge lunch may feel good on your break, but once you have to actually do something, you’ll find it hard to rise from your seat. For optimal alertness and productivity, it’s a good idea to eat a light lunch.

Get Adequate Rest

This may seem obvious, but it’s worth noting. If you didn’t sleep well last night, then you’re going to feel more and more sluggish as the day goes on. Your body and mind need adequate rest in order to perform as they’re supposed to, so make sure to give yourself at least seven or eight hours to sleep every night. Better sleep is super beneficial for your health anyway, so it doesn’t hurt to get into the habit.

Break Tasks Up

You may feel fatigued because you’re intimidated by a large task. If the task itself takes three hours to complete, then it can be very discouraging, so you need to find a way to break it up. By dividing your work into small, easily achievable tasks, you can accomplish tasks more quickly build up enough momentum to stay motivated.

Get Some Fresh Air

Oxygen is good for you, and so is a little sunshine. Stepping outside is a great way to refresh your mind and body, and it’s a nice respite from whatever’s hanging over your head inside. If you have the time, a short walk will really do the trick, but even simply standing by the door can help wake you up.

Stop Staring at Screens

Computers, smartphones, televisions, and other electronic devices emit blue light that will strain your eyes over time. Strained eyes make it hard to focus, and the sensation is very similar to general fatigue. Instead of checking your phone, watching a show, or browsing the web on your breaks, take a moment to socialise, get some fresh air, or simply relax without a screen in front of your face. It will make a remarkable difference in your comfort and energy levels.