If you're tired, take a walk

I think we all know the feeling of the mid-afternoon. slump. You could have had an incredibly productive morning, eaten a healthy lunch, and plowed through your to-do list, but suddenly it’s 3:00 p.m., and you’re ready for a nap.

Unfortunately, that’s not a real option for many adults in the middle of the work day. We can argue that it should be, but in any case, many adults choose a different option — making another cup of coffee, or grabbing a donut or candy bar.

Finding energy

Those options do work in the short run, but each has their drawbacks. So instead, try this: if you’re tired, take a walk.

It doesn’t have to be long. Ten minutes of brisk walking will do. Outside is best but if it’s snowing, or 95 degrees, or you work in a facility where getting in and out is a huge ordeal, then you can just walk the halls or stairwells. If you’re caring for little kids, put them in a stroller (or jump on a treadmill for 10 minutes, or walk around the yard if someone is napping).

This is almost guaranteed to nudge you out of your stupor. One study found that people who walked up and down the stairs for a few minutes when their energy was at a “3” on a 10-point scale rated themselves at a “9” afterwards. That is a big boost! An hour later, they were still averaging a “6,” which is significantly better than where they were.

Take the easy option

In any case, people spend all kinds of time and money trying to make themselves happier and more energetic. A 10-minute walk is almost guaranteed to do that for free, and with basically zero downsides. So if you find yourself stuck and re-reading the same email six times in a row, why not give it a shot? You’ll only “lose” a few minutes. But you might gain the ability to take on the rest of the day.

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