Five Ways to Avoid the Afternoon Slump When You're Working at Home

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Although working from home has some solid benefits (such as track pants and sleep-ins), it can also be a real drainer. With no co-workers lurking in the communal kitchen ready to spill the tea or provide an ear for a good post-meeting vent, the days can drag on and the afternoon slump can impact us hard. However, there are plenty of ways to kick that plunge in the butt and take on the arvo grind with gusto. It's why we've teamed up with Oporto to bring you five ways to avoid the afternoon lull in activity when you're confined to your own home. Just be sure to stick within your five-kilometre radius, of course.

Yarra Valley trail via Visit Victoria

MONDAY: PUMP YOUR CALVES ON A CYCLING TRAIL

Ride away any afternoon Monday blues by saddling up and going for a bike ride on your lunch break. If you live close by, take advantage of the Main Yarra Trail, which runs along the Yarra River from the eastern suburbs through to Southbank. Or perhaps you live close to the Merri Creek Trail, running through the north and filled with daisies and local jasmine. Alternatively, spin around Albert Park Lake and enjoy the sites of Melbourne's inner city or pump those calves around St Kilda Beach and take in the salty ocean air. When you can venture farther, take inspiration from these ten best bike rides in and around Melbourne.

Visit Victoria

TUESDAY: CHECK OUT SOME LOCAL MURALS TO SPARK YOUR OWN CREATIVITY

Take a break from your computer and hit your local streets to check out some street art. It might inspire you to approach the afternoon grind differently. Melbourne has plenty of street art on show with the Keith Haring mural and the Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquit mural in Collingwood, the Everfresh mural on the side of The Night Cat in Fitzroy and the 1968 Mexico Olympics Human Rights Salute mural in Cremorne. Alternatively, if the CBD is more your neck of the woods, take a peruse of the Djirri Djirri Dancers mural on the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Caledonian Lane, Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane.

Visit Victoria

WEDNESDAY: GO FOR A WALK AND DEBRIEF WITH A MATE

Sometimes you just need to let off some steam. Pick up your phone and give your mate or loved one a call and vent away. Or, be a listening ear to your friend's irritations. Go one better and arrange to take a walk around the block together (provided you live in the same area). As you get in your daily steps and move those muscles, try to find out something new about each other. If you have the time, combine your walk with a visit to your local cafe to grab a coffee first. Whether you talk politics, the weather or Selling Sunset, you'll be refreshed enough to take on the afternoon slog when you return to your desk.

Visit Victoria

THURSDAY: EAT LUNCH IN THE PARK

Feeling snowed under with emails? Frustrated at the excel spreadsheet that just won't do what you want it to do? Put the screen to sleep and head to the park for a proper lunch that will boost your afternoon productivity. If you're within walking distance of an Oporto, try the new Pulled Chicken Rappa, with hand-pulled chicken cooked in lemon and herb sauce, crunchy slaw, spicy rice and your choice of sauce, all wrapped in warm pita bread. Bored of your closest park? Here are the best picnic spots in Melbourne.

Visit Victoria

FRIDAY: TAKE A WALK AROUND THE RIVER TO SPOT LOCAL BIRDLIFE

If working from home has got you feeling angsty or stressed, then getting out into nature might be the antidote you need. First, turn off those work notifications. Then, take a stroll around a Melbourne lake to clear your mind, which, depending on your area, could be the likes of the Yarra Bend, Merri Creek, Capital City Trail, Darebin Creek or Albert Park Lake. Plus, you might even spot some local birds while you're there, including woodland species like the tawny frogmouths or wetland natives such as grey teals — plus, everyone's favourite, the white ibis (AKA the bin chicken).

Check out Oporto's full Rappa Range here, then make tracks to your closest store — or order online.

Top image: Carlton Gardens courtesy Visit Victoria