Later Alligator
Member
Forgot the mid afternoon, I couldn't make it to lunch without one in the morning
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Non-caffeine GAF: How the hell do you survive the mid-afternoon?
- Thread starter Head of Vengarl
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cool_trainer
Member
I snack on things and drink lots of water or get up and walk around for a bit.
If that doesn't work I hover between asleep and awake until I go home.
If that doesn't work I hover between asleep and awake until I go home.
Yeah walking for a few minutes is always good for me. Also opening the windows and letting in some fresh air helps me a lot if i get a bit tired.
Head of Vengarl
Banned
I'm 27, but I've had energy issues as long as I can remember. High school was pure torture. College was a little better because I usually spaced out my classes so I had time to rest. Now I work an office job as a tax preparer.
I'd like to think I eat pretty well; I almost never eat fast food and usually only drink 1 soda per week as a treat. I drink a lot of water and usually to get 7-8 hours of sleep. My level of fitness fluctuates throughout the year, but I haven't noticed it making in difference in afternoon tiredness. I'm 5'11 and weigh between 135 - 140 lbs.
No I haven't noticed a difference. On long workdays the salad is sometimes worse because I'll be starving within a couple hours (if I plan ahead and have a mid/late afternoon snack ready then it's ok). I have a really fast metabolism.
billbloodshed
Member
I drink a minimal amount of caffeine in the afternoon, much more in the morning. To fight that midafternoon crash, I wait till 2PM to take my hour lunch break (9 to 5 shift, eat my meals at my desk). I go to my car and take a 20 min power nap. Works like a charm for me.
Do you have a lot of fresh air from where you work? I noticed this a lot in my school days and sometimes on the job but when i get like 5 minutes of fresh air I'm usually back to being completely energized.
Head of Vengarl
Banned
Personally I am talking about coffee, but since other people drink tea or energy drinks I just used the umbrella of caffeine. I really thought this was a common issue, namely because pretty much every adult I know drinks 1-2 cups of coffee/tea every day.
Kinda. The bathroom in my office complex is located in an outside hallway. And since I drink a lot of water I pee rather frequently, so I get to walk out there and get some fresh air throughout the day.
CrudeDiatribe
Member
My mid-afternoon narcolepsy existed long before I started drinking coffee (started when I was 17 or 18; started drinking coffee in my late 20s). In the 5-7 years since I started, I've almost never found caffeine to be much of a stimulant (except in large fast doses like an energy drink), and I can drink a cup before bed without issue.
Anyway, when I am feeling sleepy at work, I go make a cup of coffee I like the flavour and doing something away from my desk helps to wake me up. I have a little hand grinder and an Aeropress and everyone looks at me funny when they go to the shitty Keurig machine. Whatever.
I also can't listen to podcasts, spoken word puts me to sleep if I'm the least bit tired.
Anyway, when I am feeling sleepy at work, I go make a cup of coffee I like the flavour and doing something away from my desk helps to wake me up. I have a little hand grinder and an Aeropress and everyone looks at me funny when they go to the shitty Keurig machine. Whatever.
I also can't listen to podcasts, spoken word puts me to sleep if I'm the least bit tired.
ghostofsparta
Member
it's not that bad. I used to be addicted, but I quite cold turkey. Had some bad headaches initially but now I'm fine. I don't even have that crash that I used to get around 1-3
Dedication Through Light
Member
Easy, prayer and supplication for snacks from the secretaries or other coworkers.
Messofanego
Banned
Have you been to the doctor about this? Seems like a condition. Thyroid related?
Gnome Scat
Member
Sleep, food.
Violence Jack
Member
Drink so much water so that I have to get up every hour to pee. I've never had any caffeinated drink in the morning.
I don't get drowsy in the afternoon because I never got a caffeine habit, I eat decently and get at least 7 hours of sleep. I work a full time job and I finished my engineering degree without drinking a single sip of caffeine (I don't drink soda, energy drinks, or coffee). If you don't get into a habit, your body doesn't rely on it, so I don't nap or need caffeine to get through a 17 hour day.
It takes about 2 weeks(?) to break caffeine addiction?
I used to be horrible with caffeine though.
Wake up? Need a pop
Lunch? Pop
Dinner? Pop
When I had my old job I was drinking 3-4 bottles of coke a night.
I recently broke out of it after changing my diet to intermittent fasting and going back to the gym, but after the time passed I was floored at how I am able to go a day without even thinking about needing caffeine. It's definitely related more to your diet than anything else.
I used to be horrible with caffeine though.
Wake up? Need a pop
Lunch? Pop
Dinner? Pop
When I had my old job I was drinking 3-4 bottles of coke a night.
I recently broke out of it after changing my diet to intermittent fasting and going back to the gym, but after the time passed I was floored at how I am able to go a day without even thinking about needing caffeine. It's definitely related more to your diet than anything else.
old manatee
Banned
That coffee will kill you. Try amphetamines!
postmodernism
Banned
best i've ever experienced, regardless of my level of caffeine dependency, is a 10 minute walk every 2ish hours or so.
long enough that you can shake it off, think through whatever's on your mind, and generally come back online. short enough to do within most sane workplaces acceptable break time.
plus, 10 minutes of light cardio x2-3 a day is hard to call 'bad for you'.
long enough that you can shake it off, think through whatever's on your mind, and generally come back online. short enough to do within most sane workplaces acceptable break time.
plus, 10 minutes of light cardio x2-3 a day is hard to call 'bad for you'.
GameAddict411
Member
Cardio helps with getting some energy in the afternoon. I haven't had caffeine in over 5 months now. I hate coffee and tea. I also don't drink soda at all. The last soda I have had is over a year ago.
I usually do this around 3pm every day. I just leave my office for a bit and walk for a bit. Gets me moving around and helps me refocus for the rest of the day.
I'm going on two weeks without caffeine and I'm finally getting over the withdrawal phase. First week was tough. Had bad headaches everyday, no energy, sleepy... But I'm starting to feel great now! Been sleeping better, more energy during the day. I'm only drinking one caffeine free coke a day. I'm slowly getting off soda, and even lost some weight! It takes sometime for your mind and body to adjust, but man it feels good! Also the caffeine free coke has helped me a ton with quitting soda, which is nuts because I'm a lifelong soda drinker.
Coffee doesn't make me less sleepy as I'm energized even without it but I have noticed coffee helps my thinking speed. When I drink coffee I get ideas much faster and my brain just runs at a higher level so to speak. So I guess it energizes my brain even if I see no difference in my body.
I've had to give up caffeine on medications and things of that sort before, and in that moment you notice how important it is not to over-eat, to eat well, to stay hydrated, to get a full night's sleep, etc....but that said, I do think for some people who do more tiring tasks (e.g. being in grad school and reading all the time) caffeine can be a life-saver.
This.
FF Seraphim
Member
To those who don't have caffeine, what do you guys do for a living? I'm a preschool teacher and afterwards I need a cup of joe because I'm drained.
I did a few 12-14 hour days per week at the University for months on end at one point without any source of caffeine. And this was with max 4-5 hour sleep every night except weekends. You'd be surprised what the human body is capable of enduring when one has to & gets accustomed to it.
Andrew Korenchkin
Member
Adderall?
SweetDonuts
Member
Nothing, if I do start to get drowsy I just power through it and it passes in 15 minutes or so.
sleepnaught
Member
I got rid of caffeine completely and feel tons better for it. No more acid reflux and afternoon crashes. My job is mostly labor so not hard to stay awake.
It can take ~12 hours to fully metabolize caffeine. You won't be feeling it but it can adversely affect the quality of your sleep.
Drinking coffee in the afternoon is likely making your sleep worse which is making you even more prone to feeling sleepy the next afternoon especially since that appears to be a natural part of your circadian rhythm even when you didn't drink coffee.
I think the suggestion of getting out of the office and taking a 10-15 minute walk is a good one, it'll give you a little mental refresh to get out in the fresh air and get your blood pumping a bit as well.
Drinking coffee in the afternoon is likely making your sleep worse which is making you even more prone to feeling sleepy the next afternoon especially since that appears to be a natural part of your circadian rhythm even when you didn't drink coffee.
I think the suggestion of getting out of the office and taking a 10-15 minute walk is a good one, it'll give you a little mental refresh to get out in the fresh air and get your blood pumping a bit as well.
Brianimaniac
Banned
Get adequate sleep at night.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
The 3pm slump isn't that hard to push through, maybe a small snack or something if it's particularly bad. But people who become caffeine dependent generally need caffeine to deal the morning, and sometimes the afternoon as well. Kicking it might be a pain for the short term, but will be beneficial.
iRAWRasaurus
Banned
drink more coffee or adderall.
Kain-Nosgoth
Member
i just don't eat much at noon, most of the time it's just fresh vegetables and fruits, uncooked! (apples can give you more energy than cafeine) It's only if i eat a lot, like a steak or something, then the digestion hit in the afternoon and i get sleepy
i never drink coffee, never liked the taste (and i don't like hot drinks in general, even if tea is pretty good, i don't like the feeling of it)
i never drink coffee, never liked the taste (and i don't like hot drinks in general, even if tea is pretty good, i don't like the feeling of it)
Premium Quality
Member
I'm with you OP.
I don't drink coffee and stopped drinking soda for months now. Mostly drink water all day (with the occasional light lemonade). I eat light during lunch as well.
When 2pm hits, I hit a brick wall and usually pass out during my last break at work.
I don't drink coffee and stopped drinking soda for months now. Mostly drink water all day (with the occasional light lemonade). I eat light during lunch as well.
When 2pm hits, I hit a brick wall and usually pass out during my last break at work.
KonradLaw
Member
If you can't take naps or drink coffee I've heard standing desk does wonder to combat that 2pm collapse.
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