4 hour energy

[sanpet]

I was watching a commercial for 4 hour energy (for those in outside the US that is a small drink like a shot of what is supposed to be all natural ingredients and  gives you a boost of energy for 4 hours).  I am having a slump right now!  What do you do, to get your energy up in the afternoon.  I am against  energy drinks, I did have a cup of coffee but I am still yawning a way and my mind is drifting off projects and work I need to finish.

[gee4]

I don't ever have a problem with not having enough energy in work.

I go to bed at a reasonable hour because I have an early start each morning so I get the sleep that I need.

Coffee for me has the opposite effect...makes me sleepy.

[peaches2160]

Drink water.  It is the best thing for energizing your system.  Stay away from the caffein and energy drinks.  Quick fixes that aren't all that healthy. 

[chikky]

Acutually it is  called 5-hour energy.  Here's a link to what it contains.  This is not a endorsment for the product.  I agree with Gee, get yourself to bed at a reasonable time.  You can not fit 35 hours into a 24 hour day.

[chikky]

Ooops.  Here is the link:

http://www.5hourenergy.com/ingredients.asp

[gee4]

To anyone considering taking drinks or pills to boost your energy or lose weight, please think twice.

I read an article recently about a fairly well-known celebrity in the UK who took caffeine diet pills.  The girl ended up with an irregular heartbeat, palpitations and panic attacks.

Please consider your own personal health before you indulge.  The individual who took the diet pills was formerly in a UK band and conscious of being the "fat one", even though she wasn't.

Thank you for posting Chikky.  I can't access the link in work but will read this later in my own time.

[gee4]

What do you do, to get your energy up in the afternoon.

It is always best to carry out time-consuming demanding jobs in the morning when you are fresher and more wide awake.  The smaller jobs that take less time, can be left to the afternoon.

If you are feeling a bit sluggish by the middle of the afternoon, it's probably best to start afresh next morning.  Mistakes are often made when we are feeling tired.

Perhaps if you plan your day a little better or have a lighter lunch that might help - even get out for some fresh air at lunchtime.  Of course last minute jobs arrive at all times of the day but if you can schedule these for action in the morning, you might find that helps.

I always carry out the bulk of my work by lunchtime.  It allows me a little more breathing space in the afternoon and anything urgent can usually wait until the next morning.  I plan my day to function like that so my boss and I are both organised for the days/weeks ahead.

[Katie G]

Okay - I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR A NUTRITIONIST. 

But, I've been a Type 1 diabetic most of my life.  And my first thought (albeit perhaps colored by my own experience) would be, is your blood sugar slumping in the afternoon?  Are you eating enough breakfast and lunch (slow burning stuff -- lean protein and whole-grains/fiber) to keep you going until dinner?

Some folks tend to think, "Well, I sit at a desk all day, I don't want to eat too much," but don't take into account the mental energy their job requires.   I'm not saying you have to stuff yourself, but make sure you're eating enough food to fuel your brain and body. 

[peaches2160]

Eating right is important in this situation.  I found once I began eating something for breakfast, taking time for lunch and eating a balanced meal, not junk food, I do feel better.  I used to have the "drain time" in the afternoon around 3PM.  Now, I am still going at 5PM or after and feel great. 

[gee4]

Are you eating enough breakfast and lunch...to keep you going until dinner?

Katie,

You are so right in what you say.  I couldn't function every day without having breakfast.  Now while I understand for some it's too early to eat, remember your body digests its food between 7-11am each day.  If you don't fuel it with something to kick start your metabolism, you aren't going to get going for the rest of the day.

Luckily I have a very high metabolism so I need to eat at regular times.  I wake up hungry in the morning for breakfast and once I've eaten, I know my body is energised and ready to go.

A friend of mine went to a weight loss class some years ago and the organiser was horrified when she found out this individual started her day with black coffee and never ate until lunchtime.  She explained to my friend that her body had nothing to burn off while she was in work doing her job and pointed out how much of a bad habit she had got into. 

The one thing you can do is change your habits...don't eat past a certain time in the evening as you only go to to bed with a full stomach and wake in the morning not feeling hungry.

The best meal you can eat is first thing, which is why we call it breakfast....it breaks the fast.

Like Katie my mum is also diabetic so has to eat little and often which is actually better than 3 large meals a day.

After reading the link Chikky posted, I would much rather have a glass of water!

[sanpet]

This turned out to be a great thread.  I think energy drinks are so dangerous.  I am not sure why I was so tired that day.  I had a good nights sleep the day before.  I just wanted to say what great advice.

[gee4]

It certainly did.

Just came across this article which may be of interest -

http://www.webmd.boots.com/diet/slideshow-energy-mood-boost-diet

[Alice P.]

Try getting a good nights sleep and a nut mix about 20 minutes before your normal down time.   (Almonds, Cashews..)  A brisk walk outside but only around the building (10 minutes max) also helps me.  I think if you are lacking sleep coffee, energy drinks, even a walk don't really help.  Yes, I am in the "they are really bad for you" camp.  I took a taste of one, once, yuck!  It is all about getting a good nights sleep.  It you feel like this often, try going to bed a 1/2 hour early until you find an amount of sleep that you feel invigorates you not pulls you down.

[Granados]

Often the problem can be related to what you ate at your last meal. If you are feeling low on energy in the afternoon , it could be because of what you ate at lunch that is effecting your blood sugar levels. You ate too much or ate too many carbohydrates.  I cut down to eating a half sandwich and 1 piece of fruit or vegetable and I feel much better in the afternoons now.   You may also want to consider getting tested for Hypoglycemia.  I was diagnosed with that and since I changed my diet I am relatively symptom free.  No DONUTS!

[gee4]

I agree with Granados - so many of us in later life are finding we are intolerable to certain food types, wheat and nuts being the most common.