Why We Get Drowsy at 3 p.m.
Most people begin to feel drowsy around 3 p.m. because we've been awake for about 10 hours and the body-mind is entering a phase of needed rest.
A lack of natural light, a lack of oxygen moving through the body and a lower body temperature, cause the hormone melatonin to increase. This increase causes drowsiness by lowering oxygen levels, which is good at night but, tough in the afternoon when there is usually a few more hours of work ahead.
You can increase oxygen and circulation to the brain by breathing. One of the major causes of not receiving enough oxygen is poor breathing practices.
The Benefits of Conscious Breathing
Conscious breathing is an effective means for naturally energizing the body and mind. Conscious breathing means we focus on lifting the rib cage, opening the chest and drawing in deep long breathes.
This conscious act of breathing increases our energy because it is pushes oxygen through the system and when we lift the rib cage, the diaphragm has plenty of room to move. The diaphragm, a sheet or muscle that extends along the bottom of the rib cage, expands and contracts the thoracic cavity to aid in breathing.
When we sit hunched over a desk, our rib cage compresses the diaphragm and compromises our breath, and thus our energy.
More: Office Yoga: Chair Twist
The following yoga pose and breathing technique will help you to push oxygen to your brain and give you a boost of energy when it's needed most.
Energy-Boosting Yoga Move
Sit cross legged, tuck in your abdomen, sit straight and lift your chest. Then raise your arms up to your side at a 60-degree angle.
Roll your fingers into the mound of your palms with the thumbs sticking straight up. Inhale and draw the thumbs together over your head. Let the thumbs touch and then exhale dropping the arms back to the 60-degree angle.
Repeat for about one minute or at least for 10 breathes. Then relax your arms placing your hands into your lap. Close your eyes and take three deep long breathes. Open your eyes and you will feel energized and ready to finish out your day.
More: 4 Yoga Poses for Rejuvenation
Sign up for a yoga class.
