How to make 4-7pm more bearable?

[eekwhatnow]

Anyone else have a major slump late afternoon / early evening? I’m so exhausted and feel so miserable every day at this time and I don’t even have young kids. Mine are all secondary aged. I’m definitely a morning person.
Does anyone else feel this way? Anyone got any good routines or tips that help them to cope with this slump? That don’t involve wine!

Presumably you don’t need to entertain children, so get out of the house and do something. Go for a hike or a swim or go take a class. Get a task done for the morning, like clean the bathroom, yes, boring but means you can feel productive. Go do something nice with one of your kids, getting out for a walk or a cup of tea and have a chat. Listen to a podcast.

What are you eating in the mornings? This could be the cause of your energy slump later in the day.

Have a coffee at 3pm

Are you at work or at home? At home have a 20minute nap then get outside. At work get outside at some point in the afternoon, whatever the weather, have a good afternoon snack and drink.

Are your general vitamin and iron levels etc all ok?

Have a break. Allow yourself to sit down with a cup of tea for 30 minutes. It sounds simple and I rarely manage it but it makes a huge difference when I do. Also, make sure you are sleeping long enough at night.

Thanks. These are useful suggestions! I think maybe doing a task might be quite a clever idea actually. I reckon the trouble is I’m ready for quiet time then but everyone in the house still rushing around / dinner to be made etc. I seem to need quite a lot of sleep but increasingly struggle with sleep (peri). I think I’ll try all of these suggestions one by one.

Gin?

It doesn't involve wine.

Get out for a run before dinner or go to a gym class for the endorphins, and then you have dinner to look forward to afterwards🤭

Electrolytes. I use applied Nutrition Hydration. Game changer for afternoon slumps!

I always feel exactly the same between 4-7, I could quite happily go to bed for a long nap if I could!
Keeping busy with a task helps, fresh air (walk or a run) is a good idea and for me I just need to eat. So an early tea around 5.30 gives me a boost.