FALLING ASLEEP IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

10 WAYS TO COMBAT SLEEP WITHOUT CAFFEINE

1. A good laugh

 If things are getting a little monotonous at your desk, take a break and find something funny. Watch a YouTube clip, find your favorite website, or read a good comic strip. Laughing, even if it’s short or only internally, will stimulate your mind. That stimulation is needed for you to tackle those projects faster and more efficiently.

2. Tickle the top of your mouth cavity

Weird? Yes. Try it before you judge though. Running your tongue against the top front area of your mouth cavity will irritate those nerves. This quick jolt can be enough to get you focusing on what’s being covered in that meeting you’re in.

3. Eat a healthy snack

For better energy in the long run, stay away from caffeine, sugary snacks, breads or meats. Heavy food will pull your blood into your stomach to help with digestion, making you feel tired. That’s why a healthy snack like fruits or peanut butter is best to boost your alertness.

4. Listen to music

Listening to fast beat music can increase your pulse, helping to get that blood pumping through your body. Better blood circulation will get more oxygen to your brain fighting off that sleepiness.

5. Write or doodle

If you’re in class or a meeting where you need to be awake, try writing or doodling. Whether that’s really concentrating on what the speaker is saying or planning out your perfect vacation, do something to re-engage your brain. Try writing with your non-dominant hand. Try drawing something around you from a different angle. Draw squares then shade them in-doodling has actually been proven to help you pay better attention. Engage a co-worker in a game of hangman.

6. Drink cold water

Drink ice-cold water. Not only will the cold be refreshing, but it can help cool your internal body temperature. If you’re sitting in a warm, stuffy office, then cooling your insides will help fight the need for a doze. Not to mention standing up for a bathroom break is a great way to get the blood flowing.

7. Daylight

Exposing yourself to natural daylight can be a great way to revive your senses. Morning sunlight especially can help to regulate your inner clock that says when it’s time to sleep. 30 minutes a day is recommended, but even just a step outside will do you good.

8. Give your eyes a break

This mostly applies to those staring at a computer screen. Continuous fixation can strain your eyes, worsening fatigue. If you can, put up a nice picture to look at for a few minutes when you need to relax your eyes.

9. Get up and move

One study suggests that a brisk 10-minute walk can boost energy for two hours. The increased circulation will pump more oxygen into your brain and muscles, and you already know that more oxygen helps fight sleepiness.