Have you ever noticed that you’re often less able to focus on work in the afternoons? While you’re committed to accomplishing your work throughout the day, as time goes on it often becomes more difficult. For those of you who experience that afternoon lag, here are some tips for working through the later hours and continuing to be productive:

Have a snack: Lunch was at noon, and at 3 p.m. you begin to feel slower. A simple protein bar, banana, or cup of yogurt will help give you a boost of long-lasting energy without increasing your fat or calorie intake.

Take a power break: You’ve heard of the power nap. Use the same concept and apply it to a break. Try a brisk 10 minute walk outside or a quick trip to the deli for a snack, go move your car to a different parking space, or something else that provides a brief change. When you can get away from your desk and the work mindset for just a few minutes, you’ll return energized and ready to productively tackle the rest of the day!

Switch tasks: When it becomes more difficult to concentrate later in the day, take a few minutes to do some professional housecleaning. Catch up on filing or pause for a short reading break to scan the business magazines that came in.

The basic idea here is relatively simple: If you find yourself dragging, it is more effective and productive to spend a few minutes recharging than it is to struggle through. Structuring your time to capitalize on those hours when you are best able to concentrate, while saving the smaller tasks for less focused times, adds up to a productive day.