You’re tired, and you can’t afford to make a mistake when customers are calling. Here’s the top way to fight the afternoon yawns.
The old reliable cup of coffee works. Research in the Cochrane Library Journal found that drinking a cup of joe helped workers cut mistakes and stay alert.
If you aren’t a caffeine fan, and still face post-lunch sluggishness – as most call center pros do at one time or another – here are four other ways to stay alert:
- Get outside. A few minutes of plain, fresh air can be a stimulant.
- Chew gum (but not while talking to customers). Minty versions are known to wake up the senses.
- Relax before bed. It leads to more restful sleep so afternoon sluggishness never sets in.
- Eat the right stuff. Snack on nuts, fruit and protein sources such as peanut butter. Avoid sugary foods that give short term blasts of energy but lead to bigger crashes.