We’ve all been there – that time in the afternoon when the zip of morning coffee has worn off and the combination of lunch and the low drone of a faulty fluorescent lamp have you dozing at your desk. Instead of reaching for that extra cup of coffee, try these 7 energy boosting little hacks to beat that midday slump that won’t keep you up all night.

1. Get up and stretch your legs

You’d be surprised at what good a lap around the building will do you. Hop up from your seat and move around a bit. Whether you’re running for a glass of water or circumventing your email inbox and delivering your message in person, taking a break and getting your blood pumping can change your whole afternoon.

2. Have a snack

A heavy meal can contribute to a slump (hello lunch), but the right snack can help get you back on track. Skip snacks packed with artificial sugars and carbs and reach instead for fresh fruit or veggies. Many contain energy boosting compounds (like Vitamins B and C) and the simple act of chewing signals your brain to get a move on.

Fresh Florida citrus (available here) makes a great choice because the scent is scientifically proven to stimulate your mind and help you produce serotonin (that’s the happy neurochemical) and the high water content helps boost your hydration level. Speaking of…

3. Drink some cold water

That low, slow feeling may be one of the early warnings of dehydration. A frosty glass of water will wake you up and rehydrate your body, getting you up and moving again fast. Drinking the water while it’s still ice cold wakes up your system and causes your body to kick into overdrive to warm you back up again. With all that going on, who has time to doze?

4. Pop a Peppermint

Like citrus, the taste and smell of peppermint can help flood your brain with oxygen. It also sends signals to your brain to focus and helps you pay attention to a task for longer periods of time, so a peppermint candy or a few drops of essential oil can help banish the 3:00 pm lull.

5. Get Rolling

If your back is aching from sitting hunched over your work, using a foam roller (you can find them in the workout section of your local superstore) or even a tennis ball to massage your muscles for five minutes can help unlock tight knots and leave you feeling like you just had a visit to the spa (well, maybe not quite). Plus, since you only need five minutes, you can make it a part of your daily routine and bid your backache goodbye.

6. Switch Tasks

If you’re feeling that midday slump coming on, switch over to another task, even if it’s only for ten minutes. The new challenges will signal your brain to wake up and concentrate; plus, your brain continues to work on the initial task in the subconscious, without you even noticing. As a result, when you return to your task later, you may just find that a problem you were stuck on is suddenly no trouble at all (scientists call this the “eureka effect”).

7. Sip Some Green Tea

Unlike coffee, the natural caffeine present in tea is metabolized in the body slowly, over a period of time. Instead of a jittery ascent to peak alertness, followed by a precipitous crash, your body has a steady stream of pep throughout the entire afternoon. You also get metabolism boosting antioxidants and polyphenols to boot (score!).

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