Are you curious about which are the best ways to stay awake? Long working hours, stressful jobs, a lack of sleep, overeating, and troubling social and family issues can all make you feel sleepier during the daytime. And of course it’s important not only to stay awake, but rather, to stay alert.
Sometimes, the reason why we feel so sleepy during the day is related to bad sleeping habits. Looking at our previous article on The 10 Best Ways to Fall Asleep will help you get a good night’s sleep and feel more rested during the day. Among the techniques discussed in that piece is Yoga and other meditation techniques, which will help make you more relaxed, allowing you to get a deeper and more refreshing sleep.
Nevertheless, there are times when a poor sleep isn’t the problem (or at least not the only problem). When work and to-do’s start pilling up and we feel that we need more energy to face the day, that’s when sleepiness often rears its uglyhead. There are some good ways to handle tiredness, which can certainly help you get through your day as sharp as a needle. Here then are the best ways to stay awake. Open your eyes and start taking note!
No. 10 Exercise
Despite what you might think, exercising reduces daytime fatigue, rather than add to it. A daily routine increases body energy and helps to get a better sleep at night. So keeping up with a routine even in those days we seem to be over the top can improve our daily performance.
If exercising isn’t for you, read on to find out nine more of the best ways to stay awake.
No. 9 Drink Plenty of Water
We can very often forget about drinking the right amount of water. Of course, drinking sufficiently is advisable for everyone, yet the thing is that dehydration can actually cause fatigue. So drink a lot of water and you’ll see how quickly you feel more alert.
No. 8 Switch Tasks but Avoid Multitasking
Doing the same thing all day can increase your weariness. Moreover, monotonous routines can decrease awareness. It is important to try and switch tasks every once in a while, yet avoid multitasking to keep your focus on each activity in turn.
No. 7 Rest Your Eyes
Constantly looking at a computer screen can cause eyestrain, fatigue and sleepiness. In order to avoid these effects, try looking away from the screen for a few minutes and rolling your eye balls every now and then.
No. 6 Turn Up the Lights
Sometimes, fatigue can come from bad lighting. Enhancing the lighting reduces the effort your eyes have to make to read, preventing excessive fatigue. Moreover, direct light exposure can further reduce sleepiness, providing a signal to the brain that it’s not time to sleep yet.
No. 5 Eat a Snack
Eating can give you some fast energy by boosting your sugar levels, increasing alertness. Yet, some heavy snacks should be avoided, because they can bring you down rather than perk you up.
No. 4 Take a Short Nap
Napping can be a good solution for sleepiness. The best time to nap is between six and seven hours before bedtime. Naps shouldn’t be longer than 30 minutes, and even a 10 minute one can really help. Sleeping at work however, is not advisable (though increasingly, forward-thinking companies are allowing their employees to nap because of these very benefits).
No. 3 Keep Moving
A good way to stay awake is to stay active. Moving around or walking 10 minutes before re-engaging your tasks can help keep you awake. When you move, your whole system increases the amount of oxygen you breath in and improves blood circulation, stimulating your brain.
No. 2 Start a Conversation
Another smart way of avoiding the dreaded drowsiness is by starting a conversation. Talking about ideas, politics, or even the weather with a co-worker or anyone around will help you regain alertness.
No. 1 Have a Cup of Coffee
It’s not a secret that caffeine is pretty good for keeping you up, and coffee is loaded with it. Caffeine takes between 15 to 30 minutes to kick in, but its effect can last for more than 4 hours. Any caffeinated beverage will help you avoid sleepiness, and increase your alertness.
