32 Tips To Help You Stay Alert And Awake

We’ve probably all had moments where we could barely keep our eyes open, including when we are:

• At work.
• Driving.
• Travelling on public transport.
• Watching television.

Whatever the cause (which is, of course, often because you didn’t get enough high-quality sleep), there can sometimes be lethal consequences (e.g. if you fall asleep while driving or operating machinery).

In other situations, it could cost you your job (and, therefore, your ability to pay your bills and look after your family), and sometimes, such as when you’re watching TV on the sofa, there probably aren’t any consequences to speak of.

So, when you find your eyelids drooping and your mind is zoning out, what can you do about it?

This article suggests a few ways you can stay alert.

1. Acupressure. This is a form of acupuncture, but instead of using needles, you stimulate the same pressure points using your fingertip (or some other rounded but not sharp object). One common point is the web between the thumb and index finger – close your thumb and it’s at the end of the crease. Another way to achieve the same effect is to gently, but using some pressure, tug down on your earlobes.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar. This is one of nature’s “miracle” cures that is good for so many things – one of which is giving you an instant energy boost. However, be warned that it has a distinctive taste that is pretty strong, so you might want to start by mixing it with some water, and don’t do this on an empty stomach either.
3. Aromatherapy Oils. Some essential oils (e.g. eucalyptus, geranium, grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, rosemary) can energize you. You can either use a diffuser (if you’re at home – doing this in the office may not be appreciated), apply them topically (but only when blended with a carrier oil), or added to an aromatherapy locket.
4. Caffeine. I’m hesitant to recommend this, as there are problems with ingesting too much caffeine, but since this is probably the number one remedy used by people who need to perk up, I cannot exclude it. Just remember to use it sparingly – it’s a quick fix and not a long-term solution you should rely on all the time.
5. Challenge Yourself. If you’re feeling like you may nod off at any moment, challenge yourself to complete a task by a given time. Working to deadlines is a proven way to get your brain engaged.
6. Chewing. The act of chewing can trick your brain into thinking it’s time to eat, which will get you going again. You can chew on anything – gum, a piece of ice, even the end of a pencil if that’s something you do.
7. Cool Off. Being too warm can definitely increase your sleepiness, so do something to cool off. This might be splashing cold water on your face, removing a layer of clothing (e.g. a jacket or cardigan or sweater), or going outside for some fresh air. And if the option is available to you, a cold shower works wonders!
8. Consistent Sleep Patterns. If you are able to go to sleep at the same time every day (including weekends), and get up at the same time, this can help reduce tiredness and fatigue during the day.
9. Deep Breathing. Deep breathing exercises help you take in more oxygen, which provides fuel to keep your brain and body going.
10. Do Something Else. Where possible, changing from one task to another one can be an effective way to remain alert, especially if the new task is different in some way (e.g. physical rather than mental).
11. Don’t Eat Lunch At Your Desk. Getting up from your desk to eat your lunch somewhere else (e.g. the break room, outside on a bench or even in your car, in a local park) not only means you are moving your body (see below), but it also takes you out of “work mode” for a few minutes, giving your brain a chance to recharge.
12. Exercise. There are two components to this – regular exercise, which is good for you anyway and which is proven to give you more energy, and, as a more in-the-moment fix, getting up from your chair and moving around. This latter option does not mean you need a full-scale work-out – just walking to the water cooler or coffee machine and back may be all you need. Or, you could walk up or down the stairs, instead of using the lift (aka elevator) – either for the entire way, or just part way.
13. Healthy Snacks. I am not, of course, talking about foods full of empty carbohydrates (e.g. bagels), but high-protein ones that can give you an energy boost. These include almonds, apples, bananas, hard-boiled eggs, and trail mix. In general, you will find you are less tired and have more energy overall if you eat a healthy diet (e.g. less sugar, no trans fats, fewer or no bad carbs, no sodas, no or less alcohol).
14. Iron Levels. Iron is one of many vital minerals the body needs to function optimally, and its primary use is to help transport oxygen around your body. Recommended daily quantities are 8 mg for men and 18 mg for women. Most people can get all the iron they need from their diet, from foods such as beans, cashews, eggs, liver, and spinach.
15. Laugh. A good laugh is another great way to wake you up again – but be careful where you do this, because you probably don’t want people to think you’re crazy. Why not create a YouTube playlist of funny videos that you can turn to when necessary?
16. Light Lunch. If you need to remain alert throughout the afternoon, don’t have a large, heavy lunch. Remember how sleepy you feel after a large Thanksgiving or Christmas lunch? Eating a smaller, lighter lunch will leave you with more energy.
17. Massage. While going for a full body massage may not be an option, rubbing specific areas of your body (e.g. the back of your neck or shoulders) can ease any tension and give you a boost of energy.
18. Meditation. This can be done as a regular daily activity, which has many benefits, but you can also do a mini-meditation (at your desk, if necessary) in only a few minutes. Both of these can help you relax, calm down, and de-stress, because being worried about something can leave you feeling drained and tired. You’ll find several articles on this subject right here on this site.
19. Music. If you listen to the right type of music (e.g. something that is high-energy, or something that was designed to help you concentrate), this can provide you with the mental stimulation you need to stay awake.
20. Natural Light. Just a few minutes outside in sunlight can wake you up again, and if that’s not possible, try to get a natural daylight lamp, which simulates the light from the sun, and use that for a few minutes instead.
21. Pinch Yourself. As simple and silly as it sounds, pinching yourself (e.g. on the arm or leg) can wake you up. Just be careful not to overdo it – i.e. don’t be too forceful, and don’t do it too often.
22. Power Naps. I have an entire article about napping, which explains the many benefits of naps and tips on how to take a power nap, but in short, when done correctly, this is a great way to give your body and brain the energy boost they need.
23. Pull Over. This one is for if you’re driving – pull over and take a nap. I cannot stress how important this is, having experienced the terror, when I was younger, of remembering starting to turn a corner one second, and then finding I’d finished turning the corner and not knowing how I got there. Yes, it may make you late for an appointment or getting home from work, but if you don’t take the opportunity to have a quick rest, you may never get there at all. You can always contact somebody using your phone to let them know the situation, and you can also use it to set an alarm so you don’t sleep for too long.
24. Posture. Studies have shown that when you slump over your desk, your body takes in about one third less oxygen than when you sit up straight. Less oxygen means less energy to fuel your body and brain.
25. Refocus Your Eyes. This one is great if you stare at a computer screen for hours at a time. All you need to do is occasionally glance up and focus your eyes on something that is at a distance (e.g. ten to twenty feet away) for a few seconds.
26. Regular Breaks. It is generally recommended that you do not work for more than 50 minutes at a time before taking a five- to ten-minute break. While it may not be practical to do this in all work situations (e.g. you’re in the middle of your shift on the customer support helpline), try to get up and walk around for a few minutes, and if you can’t do that, do whatever you can to take a break from your work (e.g. meditate, do something that doesn’t require you to stare at your computer screen, occupy your mind with something else such as reciting poetry or sports stats, or counting people you can see who are wearing a certain colour of clothing).
27. Talk To Somebody. The simple act of talking to somebody can jolt you out of your sleepy slump. And again, it only needs to be for a few minutes.
28. Tidy Your Desk. When you feel tiredness coming on, take a moment or two to tidy up and organize your work area – e.g. get rid of trash, put things back in the drawers or cupboards where they belong, or do some filing.
29. Turn On Lights. Assuming you are in a position to control this, turning on more lights can help you get over your sleepiness.
30. Use A Standing Desk. These are becoming more popular these days, and when you use one, it obviously makes falling asleep at your desk more difficult.
31. Water. Being dehydrated can make you sleep, so simply make sure you stay adequately hydrated. And while drinking ice-cold water is generally not recommended, especially at meal times, it’s fine as a quick pick-me-up in between meals. You should also check out this article about the benefits of drinking enough water.
32. Writing. Take a few minutes to write something down – e.g. a to-do list, your goals (for the week, month, year), or even some creative writing. (Free-writing is a great way to loosen your brain up a bit. The idea here is that you start with three randomly chosen words (there are websites that will make this easy for you), and your first paragraph must contain each of those three words. After that, you just keep writing whatever comes into your head (without worrying about typos or doing any editing), either until you have written a specified number of words, or you’ve been writing for a certain number of minutes. I use a site called 750 Words to do my daily free writing.)

Caveat

There is a condition called narcolepsy that can cause unpredictable bouts of sleep, which can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. And falling asleep without warning can, of course, be very dangerous. (Note that there is a known connection between certain ‘flu vaccines, such as Pandemrix, and narcolepsy.)

If you suffer from excessive sleepiness on a chronic basis, or narcolepsy, then you should see medical help.

Free Gift

Here is a free brainwave entrainment audio file that can help you to concentrate. Just right click on the following link and select Save As to download it to your computer (or phone):

LaserFocus.mp3

Conclusion

Staying alert can often be a real challenge, and as I said above, sometimes it really doesn’t matter too much, but in some situations, it can be positively dangerous.

As soon as you start to feel sleepy, try one or more of the above tactics, depending on the circumstances.

Longer term, you should:

• check out this article on getting a good night’s sleep.
• try to make changes to your life to ensure you feel less tired and more energized all of the time.

Additional Resources

These are suggestions for those who wish to delve deeper into any of the above:

1. Acupressure’s Potent Points
2. Aromatherapy Diffusers & Oils
3. Aromatherapy Lockets
4. Light Therapy Box
5. Meditation For Beginners
6. Power Nap Book
7. Power Nap Hypnosis MP3
8. Standing Desk