Daytime drowsiness could be caused due to a wide range of reasons. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you stay awake.
We all love to catch up with some sound sleep at night after working for long hours throughout the day. However, at times, you cannot afford to sleep because of some urgent work at hand. If you are a working professional, then it could be the deadline that forces you to do so.
On the other hand, students burn the midnight oil mostly during examination. There are some people who find it difficult to stay awake even during the day at workplace or while in class.
The best way to prevent yourself from falling asleep during daytime is to engage in some activity so that you are distracted, physically, mentally, or in both ways. The activities can range from eating to exercising. The idea is to keep yourself engaged so that you stay alert and don't fall asleep. Following are some tips for you.
Watching or reading something that involves thinking will keep your brain active, and serve as a distraction.
Listening to music also helps. However, don't listen to soothing music, as that might induce sleep.
Munching on something or chewing also keeps you engaged. Eating a snack gives you energy, thereby energizing you and warding off sleep. Drinking water or splashing water on the face might work as well.
Talk to someone. Engage in any activity that stimulates your mind, so that you don't feel sleepy.
Stretching, taking a short walk, or doing an exercise of any form keeps you active, thereby warding off sleep.
Tips for Workplace
There are many working people, who complain that they feel sleepy after having lunch, which in turn affects their work. Some good ways that would help are as follows:
Eat Right
There are some foods that you need to avoid, as they induce sleep. They are: fatty foods, potatoes, white rice, pasta, dessert, sweets, etc. Overeating can also make you sleepy. So, make sure that you keep your lunch light.
Take a Walk
A short walk after lunch is the best way to control sleep at work. This will improve blood flow in the body, which in turn will increase brain activity. Thus, you can be more alert and focus completely on your work.
Sit Upright
When you sit on a soft, comfortable chair, you feel relaxed and that could make you feel sleepy. So, sit on a chair which has a firm and straight back.
Students are bound to feel quite helpless, when they can't control their sleep in class. They should realize the importance of being attentive in class. They must try to have fun in learning new things. When they put all their attention on what is being taught in the class, then they wouldn't have to try out any tricks to keep themselves awake.
Tips for Times When You Have to be Up All Night
To be up all night is like a challenge. Falling asleep at night is a part of the natural mechanism of the body. Try out the following tips:
Listen to Loud Music
Nothing can be more energizing than listening to some peppy numbers. To distract yourself from sleep, you are free to sing along the song. This is one way you can spend hours without even realizing that the night is over. This works really well, particularly when you are on a long distance drive.
Splash Water on your Face
If you are a student and you plan to study all night long, then start your night by splashing some cold water on your face. You will feel fresh almost instantly. Keep a bowl of cold water on your study table and sprinkle it on your face from time to time, as and when you feel sleepy.
Drink Coffee/Tea
Caffeine works as an excellent stimulant and keeps you alert. Have a cup of coffee when you feel sleepy. You can also have a cup of tea to refresh yourself. Those who are more health conscious can go for herbal tea or energy drinks.
When you know that you cannot sleep for the next few nights, then catch up with some sleep in advance. On the previous night, sleep for 10 - 12 hours. Also, try to get an afternoon nap, before the start of the consecutive sleepless nights.
When you cannot sleep for long hours, then take quick naps of short duration. Sit in a quiet and comfortable place and sleep for 20 - 30 minutes. This will reduce the constant drowsiness that you feel and make your mind fresh.
To relax the fatigued muscles of your body, you could try acupressure. Exert mild pressure with the tips of your fingers on the top of the head, back of the neck, back of the knee, earlobes, and between the fingers. This will improve blood circulation and keep your mind alert.
We all know that peppermint has a strong, refreshing smell which when inhaled can wake you up instantly. It also acts as an excellent stress reliever.
Follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep at night to prevent daytime sleepiness. You can also follow the aforementioned tricks to find out the ones that work well for you.