Beating the Mid-Afternoon Slump

At the end of a long week, almost everyone is dragging and just wishing the weekend would get here. Especially in those mid-afternoon hours, after you've had lunch but still have a few hours of work or school or whatever commitment you have left to go. Most people reach for sugar or coffee in order to ward off that tired feeling, here are a few alternatives to help you combat the mid-afternoon slump.

1. Eat a light lunch. Eating something heavy or greasy for lunch will leave you with that uncomfortably full feeling that often leads to feeling tired and not being able to focus. Make your lunch a clean and light meal such as a fresh salad or fish and a side. Having a meal that is still filling but isn't weighing you down will keep you going through the workday.
2. Stretch out your spine.  When that tired feeling hits, try a few desk stretches or if you can stand up and do a few moves. Particularly focus on stretching out your back, this can help give you the nice little rush of blood to the head that will provide an energy boost.
3. Sip some tea. It may still be caffeinated, but not as heavily as coffee so it won't disrupt your sleep schedule if you have some in the afternoon. Sipping some green tea also provides a series of different health benefits. 
4. Take a walk. Taking about a twenty minute walk over your lunch instead of remaining seated the entire time will help to keep you going. It will also help get the digestion of your lunch going, so that if you did indulge a little it shouldn't weigh you down quite so much.
5. Have a snack. Plan to have a small snack a few hours after lunch. Try and incorporate complex carbs, protein, fat, and fiber into your snack. Such as some cheese and crackers or hummus and fresh vegetables.

Do you have any tips for staving of the afternoon slump?