How to combat 2:16 afternoon slump

2.16pm has been found to be the least productive time in the office, according to research conducted by the NHS.

In response, some offices have set up healthy employee benefits such as ping pong tables, lunchtime jogs and even free trips to the salon in an effort to boost productivity and engagement. However, according to new research, introducing plants into the office can improve mental capacity without reaching for that extra cup of coffee.

Kenneth Freeman, Head of Innovation at Ambius, an office landscaping company, explains how smaller offices are more at risk of the “afternoon slump.” He explains: “The reason behind these afternoon feelings is a rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels throughout the day in the office. The primary source of indoor CO2 is humans. Typical outdoor concentrations are around 380ppm (parts per million) but this can increase to several thousand indoors, over the course of one day.

“Whilst these levels of CO2 are not dangerous to health, they can have an impact on concentration, as demonstrated by a study conducted by the Berkeley National Laboratory showing a correlation between high CO2 levels and diminished decision making performance.”