7 things successful people do during an afternoon lull

Do you feel like your ability to focus and your supply of discipline and willpower are always dwindling by 2 p.m.'You're not alone.Almost everyone experiences a mid-afternoon lull: a dip in energy levels, alertness, and concentration as part of your natural circadian rhythm, explains Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of"You Can't Be Serious! Putting Humor to Work.""The timing, extent, and intensity of the afternoon lull varies from person to person, and although our lunch diet can affect it,the No. 1 influencer is how well you slept the night before," he explains.Other factors, such as sitting for too long or spending too much time on the computer, can also contribute to a decline in energy.And, perhaps one of the most surprising causes of afternoon fatigue is having too little work to do. "If you don't have a clear plan of action and don't set priorities for your day, and especially for the afternoon, it's that much easier to lose steam and feel a dip in energy," he says.Here are seven things successful people do to deal with, or avoid, the dreaded afternoon lull:SEE ALSO:15 things successful people do on Monday morningsSEE ALSO:The 27 jobs that are most damaging to your healthThey schedule meetings for the afternoon.Some people make the mistake of planning meetings in the morning, and then working on projects that require individual focus in the afternoon."This is a mistake, since you'll show up to the meeting regardless, and the stimulus of getting there and talking to people will help you focus," says Laura Vanderkam, author of "What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast." "Better to plan meetings and phone calls for the afternoon, and individual work for the morning, when you're more focused."They take a break."If you don't take an intentional break, your body will take an unintentional one for you," Vanderkam says. "Go for a walk. Get some fresh air."Kerr says numerous health experts are "warning of the dangers of people sitting too long, some even calling it 'the new smoking' in terms of its potential health threat."Taking a walk will get your muscles moving and the oxygen flowing, and it also allows you to clear your head. "Plus, getting some fresh air will not only help wake you up, but if you've been working on a computer, focusing your eyes on longer distance objects can help minimize eyestrainand getting some sunlight can help reset your clock," Kerr adds.They eat.When theenergy boost you get from lunch starts wearing off, you tend to experience awave of sleepiness,Vanderkam explains. To avoid that, successful people eat something healthy to perk them up a bit. "Snack on something that isn't too high in sugar, like cheese or fruit," she says. "You don't want to crash again 20 minutes later."See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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