8 TIPS TO AVOID CRASHING AFTER WORK

​I started to experience something at the end of each work day that was troubling me: I had no energy.
 
For someone who literally sits at a desk for the majority of the day, this bothered me. I wasn’t doing anything physical and I just didn’t understand why I was so drained of my energy. This was bothering me because I didn’t even have the energy to do household chores like wash clothes or do the dishes. So, I tried a couple of things and also researched a few things. 
 
So, if you’re someone who seems to be zapped of your energy after a day at work, keep reading for a few things I found that can help you stay energized enough to power through your work at home!

GET YOUR BLOOD TESTED

​Whenever I was having trouble with my health, I had to get some blood work done.

During this time, I found out that I had anemia, which is low iron.

​Having lower iron levels means that you are tired more often than not. 

Low iron levels can also cause weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, food cravings, tongue swelling, cold hands and feet, irregular heartbeats, brittle nails, and headaches. I found in my research that a lot of women my age struggle with this due to menstruation. The fix, however is pretty easy.
 
In order to improve your iron levels, you can either eat more iron-rich foods (like broccoli, dark chocolate, and lean red meats) or you can take iron supplement pills which are sold over-the-counter.

DRINK MORE WATER

​Most of the reason for my fatigue can also be pointed to dehydration. When your body isn’t properly hydrated, you can start to feel tired. I was just drinking a ton of diet soda, justifying that it was OK because it didn’t have any calories. But, the reality is, regular and diet sodas alike are packed with sodium, which is known to cause dehydration. 

To remedy this, I made a rule for myself that I actually shared in yesterday’s blog post. My water rule is that I must consume my recommended amount of water before I have a soda. My FitBit app suggests that I have about 65 fluid ounces of water a day. I also make myself finish about 26 oz of water before I have my morning coffee. This helps me stay hydrated and keeps me from drinking too much soda! ​

HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE

​I’ve found that having a cup of coffee when I get home from work has helped somewhat in increasing my energy levels.

​This is particularly great for household chores, as it takes more energy to do those than it does to sit and type out the blog post for the day.

Lately, I’ve been saving my unused brewed coffee from the morning in a separate pitcher that I have an iced coffee from when I get home. It keeps me from wasting coffee and from brewing up another batch when I get home.

HAVE A SNACK

​Snacks can be a good source of energy when you’re running low, but you have to make the right choice about what snack you will have. As someone who did the low-carb diet for a long time, I would often reach for a string cheese, but these were very low in carbs, the element that actually gives you the energy.
 
Odds are, if you’re not eating enough carbs, you’re not going to have the energy to do what needs to be done around the house!

CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES

​I work in a business setting, so I wear business clothes. I’m in a dress, skirt, or slacks every day.

​This gets really uncomfortable and I often change into what I will wear for bed right when I get home in an effort to get more comfortable. This isn’t a good idea, as it further tells my body that I am in rest mode and don’t need to do anything else. ​

Instead of changing into what I’m going to wear for bed, I have started to change into sweat pants or shorts, a t-shirt, and into my sneakers. I’m less tempted to lay down on the bed and I’m more apt to get up and actually do something productive when I’m dressed and in shoes.

​DITCH THE HEAT

​As the winter months approach, it is so tempting for me to turn on the heat to stay cozy in my car, but I’ve noticed that heat is one thing that furthers my energy level decline. Instead of putting on the heat, try turning it on until you “defrost” and then turning all air in your car off. You cal also lower the heat setting in your car or even crack your windows for a refreshing cool breeze that will help your eyes stay open on the way home and when you get there!

MOVE MORE DURING THE DAY

I personally have a desk job. I sit at a computer all day and do my work. On some occasions, I have the opportunity to be more active, but my average day involves me sitting down for 8-ish hours. Be sure to take a few breaks (as legally given to you) throughout the day and get up to stretch or just pace around in your office. 

I work on a campus, so I can walk around throughout the day if I need to. If someone gives you trouble about it, you can always bring up that coworker who spokes for 15 minutes a few times a day on the clock!

AVOID SUGARY FOODS IN VENDING MACHINES

It is really tempting to take out your change and head to your office's vending machine when you're starting to feel sluggish just before you clock out. However, this can be a bad idea, as many vending machines are loaded with sugary-carby foods that may give you a small energy boost, but won't do much for you permanently.
Instead, opt for something like jerky, seeds, or berries!

CONCLUSION

There are tons of ways to avoid the after-work crash, but these are a few ideas that have worked for me! Do you have any tips to keep us from crashing after a long, stressful day of work? Leave them in the comments below!