SMARTER AFTERNOONS

These tips are all about getting the most out of the hours after lunch and fighting that 3pm energy dip.

Shrug off the slump

Try a reviving shoulder pump. ‘This is great for boosting energy, as it engages the breath for oxygenation to the brain and the body to get blood circulating efficiently,’ says sophrologist Dominique Antiglio. ‘Use it when you feel a slump. Do it standing for maximum effect.’

Take deep, steady breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.

When you’re ready, hold the breath after you breathe in.

Now ‘pump’ your shoulders up and down vigorously at least five times.

Relax the shoulders and breathe out.

Repeat several times.

Dominique Antiglio teaches sophrology in London. Find her at be-sophro.com

Take a guilt-free nap

Feeling low in energy and drowsy in the afternoon? It could be that working from home and using commute time to catch up on other things is making the work day longer, so don’t feel guilty for pencilling in snooze time. A performance test study revealed subjects who took a 30-minute nap halted declining performance, while a 60-minute nap reversed it (although napping in the day is not recommended for anyone who has insomnia).

Grasp the nettle

Forget coffee as an afternoon lift: a caffeine-free herb can do more. ‘My favourite is liquorice or nettle, with 1tsp of nettle seed tincture added,’ says research herbalist Monica Wilde. ‘It gives a mental boost via neurotransmitters, as well as physical support for that great energy controller, the thyroid gland. Don’t use more than 3tsp in one day, though.’

Find nettle seed tincture, £10 for 100ml, and herbal teas at napiers.net

Pick a plant

Having plants in your peripheral vision can help productivity. ‘Plants induce feelings of comfort, and this has a restorative impact, reducing systolic blood pressure and amplifying concentration,’ says psychologist Dr Katie Cooper. TRY a calathea, areca palm (right) or money plant. Plant Therapy (Hardie Grant) by Dr Katie Cooper is out now

Stand up!

A recent study found that people who swapped sitting for standing gained improved energy levels. ‘It allows us to breathe better and relieves pressure on the diaphragm,’ says physiotherapist Sally Roberts. ‘Standing up at meetings means they are shorter and less energy sapping.’ Sally Roberts MCSP practises at Recentre Health Clinic (recentre-health.co.uk)