@shilohjohnson you're 100% right! I think most of my afternoon crash could be related to not taking breaks, especially from the screen. I have a standing desk which helps, but still not a break and still staring at a screen. Thank you!

@shesmaddie Absolutely - screen breaks are great! I use an app that covers my screen and reminds me to look away from the monitor regularly - I think that helps a lot, too!

@shilohjohnson that is SO smart! Could you link it to me when you have a second?

@shesmaddie Absolutely - Time Out on the App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ti... and I know there was a windows equivalent at one point - if I come across the name I'll send it your way!

@shilohjohnson thanks so much!! This is great, definitely need to schedule in breaks, too easy to keep pushing it back and then crashing later.

I agree with @rashikaahuja - bust of sugar is something that makes brain work faster and better. I eat anything that is extra sweet

@rashikaahuja @jan_mazurek XD love it! I'm usually craving something sweet in the afternoon but sometimes it can be a downward spiral.

@shesmaddie Hahaha, and then by the evening, you end by ordering some donuts and a nice cup of coffee :D

@benoit_chambon good advice. I tend to work through lunch (terrible habit) so adding in a small workout or some form of exercise (I like my AM workouts best) in the afternoons sounds like a great idea. I also appreciate your understanding that getting a second wave later in the afternoon is possible!

@baptiste_ncls thanks for sharing I really appreciate hearing what others are doing! My previous roles wouldn't have allowed for such a long break during the day (regardless of how many hours I was actually putting in) but now I think that fitting in a mid-day workout would be more than possible.

@ronak_jain smart!! Only works though for me if I need to talk. If I'm meant to just listen it's going to be a nap XD

@ronak_jain woah, I do the opposite :D Prefer calls in the morning because I know I can't focus as well in the afternoon. :D Unless I can do the calls during walks. That's a game changer for me. :D But maybe I should try your approach.

@ronak_jain @sarahxjo YES +1 to walking calls! Another thing that helps is my standing desk. Hard to fall asleep when you're standing :) so I try to take calls in the afternoon standing up.

@sarahxjo Mornings are generally for productive work. Afternoon is generally for things which I dread to do and post lunch is ideal for that :D

@ronak_jain I guess you're right. :D I'm in the middle of an afternoon crash right now... And I don't even want to go for a walk as it is incredibly cold outside :D Ugh. Need to get over it.

@richardfliu I miss that so much! We're still in lockdown where I am :)

@shesmaddie Yeah I am so lucky we're allowed to do that 😊

@ali_alsayed I'm a big fan of espresso, I definitely see a difference vs drip coffee. Since starting this conversation I've been much more mindful on what I eat for lunch and cutting out carbs is a big part of that. Thanks for your input!

@elizaveta_k sounds like physical activity is a winner on this thread. What do you normally do?

@aleksandra_vovchenko water is SO important! I feel like I drink a lot but maybe not enough to counter balance the coffee :) Meditation for me is great when I'm overwhelmed but not always an energizer. I actually just forced myself to go for a quick walk and it really helped. I've been productive all afternoon. It helps having a dog to make you accountable for mid-day walks! :)

@christianheine morning people unite! Question, what's a healthy breakfast for you and what's a light lunch?

@gabe__perez actually music is such a hack. So good to have a pump up playlist for sluggish afternoons or need to get through some particularly boring work XD

@sarahxjo +100!! There is such a stigma around breaks during the day. I've never worked at a place where people would leave their desks at lunch. I think that's partly why I haven't been taking breaks during the day, I'm terrified someone will call or message me and find out I'm - gasp - taking a quick lunch break. We need to normalize the lunch break again. Or some kind of mid-day break to let your brain, eyes, and body reset.

@shesmaddie Yea absolutely! Lunch is something I do now. I never did, some years ago, but then I worked at a quite traditional agency for a year and they always did proper lunch breaks. So even after leaving, that's something I kept doing (mostly). But you know, if you have a low energy moment, it can be so useful to maybe go on a 30-60min walk and maybe listen to a work related podcast (I like to listen to podcast about startups, branding, marketing etc) and that, to me, feels like taking a break, but at the same time I still learn something that's valuable to my job and company. And when I get back, I'm energized again.

@sarahxjo That's a really smart strategy! Just went on a great walk but it wasn't enough. Maybe I was missing a work podcast. I will definitely keep this tip in mind!

@viorica_vanica I used to be such a fan of napping, but I haven't power napped since I started working remotely! I'm afraid it will become too much of a habit - but as long as it's short and works for you I think it's a good idea! I should try it again.