Shanghai Tech WriterTechnical Writing, Technology, WordPress, Web 2.0, National Instruments, LabVIEW, Shanghai, China

Afternoons around 2-3pm are the most difficult time for me. I’m a technical writer so reading/writing/reviewing documentation isn’t the most exciting thing to do in the afternoon. Don’t get me wrong. I love my job. I just hate dealing with food coma. Every other day, I slump in my chair, with hands on the side of my head, a pen in my hand,  and review papers on my desk, I start seeing flying unicorns and two-headed turkeys. zzz… It’s a problem I’ve had since I started working as a technical writer.

I’ve tried all sort of tactics and none work consistently. But I’ll share them anyway in case any of you have problems dealing with food coma. (Note: Not all of them are work or boss-friendly)

Food Related

• Drink lots of water (and take frequent bathroom breaks).
• Eat a smaller lunch.
• Cut back on the carbs.
• Cut back on the sugar.
• Eat a higher protein diet.
• Drink a cup of coffee.
• Drink a can of caffeinated drink.
• Munch on some snacks.
• Chew gum.

Work-Related

• Do one thing from your to do list.
• Message a colleague.
• Call a colleague.
• Visit a colleague’s cubicle instead.
• Fill out your timecard.
• Update your weekly status report.
• Clean out your mailbox.
• Avoid afternoon meetings.
• Arrange your day as to avoid sleep-inducing tasks in the afternoon.
• Reply a few emails.
• Read some company/internal news.

Housekeeping

• Tidy up your desk/cubicle.
• Cleanup the files on your computer and network drives.
• Organize your computer desktop.
• Tidy the area around the office/floor printer.
• Shred papers/documents you don’t need.
• File documents in binders and cabinets.
• Wipe your desktop with a wet towel.
• Turn your keyboard upside down and give it a good whack.
• Clean out your wallet.

Kinesthetic

• Bend over and let the blood flow back to your head.
• Stand up and do some stretching exercises.
• Take a short walk around the office/floor.
• Walk up and down the stairs a few times.
• Water a few office plants.
• Take a few deep breaths.
• Play a quick game of ping pong.

Not Work/Boss-Friendly

• Put your head down for a few minutes.
• Read the latest news.
• Listen to some music.
• Watch a video on YouTube.
• Work on a Sudoku puzzle.
• Send a text message to a friend.
• Listen to a podcast.
• Check your emails.
• Play a game of solitare.
• Read an article or two from your RSS reader.
• Play a quick online flash game.
• Chat with a friend on MSN.
• Make a grocery shopping list.
• Write down ideas for blog posts.