Working at a monotonous desk job is tedious enough, without having to fight off fatigue and sleepiness. After all, what can be more annoying than having to struggle to stay awake, when you’re already struggling to wrap up your work and run home at the end of the day? Besides, is there anything more embarrassing than being caught asleep during that business meeting? While a short power nap may be the ideal solution to day time sleepiness, work environments are far from ideal and most of us will simply down coffee, hoping and praying that it will keep us awake.
Simple Hacks To Stay Awake At Work
You Got To Move It Move It!
“Researchers at California State University found that a 10 minute walk had a more significant positive effect than the quick energy boost received from eating a bar of candy”
When you’re terribly sleep deprived, it may be possible to drift off even whilst you’re walking, but at most times walking or moving about is the best way to fend off the sleepiness. Simply walking to the bathroom or pantry or briefly chatting with a co-worker can help and the few minutes that go into it will actually help increase productivity when you return to work.
In case you don’t believe us, researchers at California State University also found that a 10 minute walk had a more significant positive effect than the quick energy boost received from eating a bar of candy.
Be A Social Bee
“Sleep scientists & psychologists believe that conversation is one of the strongest behavioral stimulators, providing almost instant mental stimulation”
Face to face contact is stimulating and energizing for most of us because of our inherently social nature. While this would obviously appeal to extroverts, introverts also require some amount of social interaction and will benefit from such exchanges. Sleep scientists and psychologists believe that conversation is one of the strongest behavioral stimulators, providing almost instant mental stimulation.
Sniff On This
“Naturopaths & aromatherapists believe that peppermint oil is a powerful natural stimulant that can help increase alertness & focus”
According to many naturopaths and aromatherapists, peppermint oil works as a powerful natural stimulant that can help wake you up pretty quickly. You can simply keep a small bottle of the essential oil in your office drawer or use an essential oil diffuser (it will also beautify your workspace).
Look Away
“Having your gaze fixed on a digital screen for extended periods causes severe eye strain & will increase feelings of sleepiness & exhaustion”
Whether you look away from your computer screen to check out that office hottie or to spy on your co-workers, it really doesn’t matter. Take a break from staring at the screen and certainly not by picking up your phone. Having your gaze fixed on a digital screen for extended periods causes severe eye strain and will increase feelings of sleepiness and exhaustion.
Chew On This
“The activity of chewing, combined with the influx of energy from food boosts your mood & also makes you more alert”
There’s scarcely a thing more effective at fighting sleepiness than munching on a snack. Ever fallen asleep while you were eating? We really doubt it, but in case you have, you probably need help! For most of us however, the intake of food gives you a sudden increase in energy that wakes you up. Obviously, you need to focus on healthy snacks like nuts, eggs, and whole grains or your quick energy boost will be short lived and followed by increased fatigue and sleepiness.
Our Take
The next time you find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open, at work or college, you can try using some of these tricks to get a little extra mileage. However, these hacks are not a substitute or remedy for chronic sleep deprivation. Getting inadequate sleep on a regular basis will take a toll on your physical and mental health, and no, you can’t catch up on sleep over the weekend!
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