Afternoon Energizers for the Sleepy Yogi

It’s two o’clock, your belly’s full of lunch and you still have a half day’s work ahead of you. You’d get started on it right away, if only you could keep your eyes open.

Sound familiar?

That midday lull happens to all of us. With your energy devoted to digesting lunch, and your bodily systems tied to the inevitability of circadian rhythm, it’s likely you’ve experienced that drowsy 2pm feeling.

So how to deal with it?

As with most corporeal issues, prevention is the first step. Clocking a full 8-hour sleep, eating a big breakfast, minimizing morning caffeine and avoiding alcohol and sugar are all good ways to prevent falling asleep midday, or to at least minimize that drowsy feeling when it comes.

Still, even the best sleepers catch a case of dozies now and then.

Here are 5 things you can do to deal with a case of the midday lulls.

1.Take a nap. For the majority of us, a taking a siesta is as desirable as winning the lottery: and just as unlikely! But for the lucky few who can find the space, AND are able to fall asleep midday, a nap is sure way to reinvigorate a drowsy afternoon. According to the BBC, afternoon naps were as common as coal before the Industrial Revolution. So if you can find the space and courage to take a nap at your workplace, know that you are simply exercising an ancient right. Just make sure to set your alarm, as sleeping for more than an hour can make you drowsier than you were pre-nap.

2.Go for a walk. Studies show that exposure to sunshine is a great way to induce and preserve alertness. Even on a cloudy day, the walk itself will get your blood pumping, and create a general bodily arousal that will bring an extra dose of energy to your day. Invest ten minutes of every lunch hour to light exercise, and you’ll get your return in increased productivity and wel lbeing.

3.Meditate. Meditation is proven to rejuvenate energy and increase awareness: the perfect antidote to a sleepy afternoon. Find a quiet space and clear your mind, or plug in your earphones and Google “Five Minute Meditation”. Youtube has a ton of guided meditations you can easily practice at the office: only your peaceful energy will tell your coworkers you were watching something other than last night’s comedy bloopers.

4.Practice handstand. While this method isn’t always possible at work, inversions are a quick way to bring blood to your head, increase circulation and help create a lively perspective. Avoid poses like headstand and shoulderstand, as these asanas require a number of preparatory postures. As long as your wrists and upper body are strong, handstand is safe to perform on its own. And remember, you don’t need to come into in a full handstand to reap the benefits: just starting the pose is a good way to get your energy flowing.

Try practicing handstands against the wall, using a sturdy stool, the side of the couch, or the edge of the bed to help you kick up.

Another good way to get the feeling of handstand is to come to downward dog with your fingertips against the wall. Gradually walk your feet towards your hands, while aiming to keep your back flattened against the wall. When you’ve pressed as much back to the wall as you can, try kicking one leg in the air. Alternate legs, eventually working to kick your legs up simultaneously. Don’t worry if you can’t get your legs all the way up. Just hanging upside down like this is a good way to increase your energy, with the added benefit of preparing your muscles and alignment for an eventual handstand.

5.Stay with your energy. Although not great for productivity, a drowsy mind is often a quiet mind, and it may sometimes benefit us to stay with the quiet energy, cultivating a sense of calm and peace. Focus on taking deep breaths, and releasing tension with every exhale.