Wake up your audience

In an all-day training, it can be a struggle to keep my eyes open after lunch. Many of us are sleepy in the afternoon, and listening to a lecture only intensifies the desire to nap.

To help people stay awake after lunch, I might have the group stand up and stretch. Then I would break them into discussion groups or pairs and give them something to do, a problem to solve, a question to answer collectively.

I might also try an energizer activity at this point, something that would include some physical activity, laughing and stimulation. Here's a site with links to some great icebreakers and energizers.

I would definitely encourage discussion at this time of day, because keeping the audience stimulated and engaged is the best way to keep them awake!

How do you handle your after-lunch sessions?