Hi everyone,

i know loads of you get this fatigue in the afternoon, but does anyone have any tips of what to do to get a mid-afternoon energy boost? I have tried bananas, nuts etc, and staying off sugar, but no luck so far. It is really inconvenient for me as it is the time I need to collect the kids from school when all i feel like is a nap!

Squiggle,

I know what you mean. This is about the time I'm driving home from work and I am heading west and the sun seems to make it even worse. I have a hard time keeping my eyes open. They feel so gritty and heavy. I haven't found anything that helps. I am interested in seeing if others have any suggestions.

TeeJay

keeping off sugar??? i find sugar the best bit. I normally have a energy drink from LIDL its about 29p if not i have a bar of choco and a cuppa it relaxes me but i dont get tiered!

Hi squiggle

I know exactly what you mean, that afternoon drive to school is the worst thing when all you want to do is close your eyes and give in to the sleepiness.

Usually I try to have a good old cup of tea (earl grey) in my case. and it does help a bit. I often look at the other mums around, they don't seem to be suffering too much, but I do keep meaning to ask as I bet some of them are. My problem is I keep forgetting and get carried away talking about something else!

Having said that, my husband is at home a lot more now, and he falls asleep for an hour or so in the afternoon whenever he gets the chance so it's not just a female/peri thing!!!

Janeyxxx

Thanks for the prompt replies girls! I really do appreciate your suggestions -

Well, the problem is I find sugar makes my palpitations worse and tea/ chocolate contain caffeine which gives me migraines, and even decaff tea these days bloats my stomach so I am in agony.

5 years ago I would have gladly used all these things you kind people suggest but my body is gradually taking all the fun out of life. (I'll soon be living on bread & water alone, I think!)

I am trying to keep my blood sugar level as stable as possible as this does seem to have an effect on my other symptoms - hence my trying bananas & nuts. Actually I am going nuts... but that's another problem!

Hiya Squiggle

You are up against your own body clock here arent you????

I find a cool dirnk and some fresh air or some fruit help me - tangy tastes wake me up!!!! Green tea with mint is lovely - esp if chilled on a hot day

OK - best advise it to make sure you keep alert when driving - cos our bodies do naturally want to to catnap in the afternoon - so blow the cool air on your face in the car to make sure you are alert!!!!

Mele

Thanks, Mele - good to see you back! Did you have a good trip? Rain's great eh?

Right, I'll try your tangy tip. I get the fresh air walking to get the kids (but not during school hols like now, so that is a good point!)Unfortunately, green tea is probably going to cause me probs with the old stomach and migraines. Sounds nice though!

squiggle

Hi there. I think I too may be in the perimenopause and find mid afternoon the time when I could just nod off, especially if I'm sitting down. When I'm at work I'm ok as I'm busy. If I'm at home then I just give in and have a nap - I feel better for it. I have also started to get far more aches and pains, espcially in my neck, lower back and the joints in my feet. Don't really know what to do about these, if they'll pass eventually or are they just inevitable?

Drs strognly associate 3pm fatigue with adrenal fatigue and burnout. Instead of using sugar and coffee to stimulate adrenals to make more cotrisol, eat more protein and fat and llittle carbs for lunch, and kiss fatigue good bye. Also, try to get to bed early, and take good supplements that support adrenals.
Sugar is our worst enemy at this time, it's very damaging to adrenals. I normally eat salad with protein and olive oil dressing for lunch and have no 3pm problem, but if I eat something carby ( even small amount of starches) - I am crushing in 2 hours and can hardly keep my eyes open.