Finding yourself feeling sleepy in the midst of a work day or class, even after a good night's sleep is really not unusual. That mid-afternoon slump one starts to feel often leads to your head slowly bobbing down, your eyes involuntarily closing - and there's not much you can do. Or is there? When your eyelids start to droop and your entire body starts to feel heavy, it's not necessarily a sign of a sleep deprivation or narcolepsy; it's usually just a sign of being an adult who has taken on more than he/she really wants to do (or plain boredom). We've all been there. But there are a few tips that can help you stay up and focused through your work day or through class. You're welcome.
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1. Load up on some H2O
Staying hydrated and consuming plenty of fluids is an important factor in staying awake and not losing focus. A lack of fluids can make you feel sluggish and irritable, and make it harder for you to stay awake through periods where you're required to simply sit and focus. In order to stay awake and alert, carry a water bottle with you at all times and make sure to keep sipping on water. Adding some ice in your water bottle could help give you an extra boost and instantly wake you up.
2. Chew some gum
Chewing gum is a repetitive action that requires some amount of effort on your behalf. Keeping your mouth busy helps keeping your mind alert as well. Chewing gum is a great way to reduce daytime sleepiness as a result of it increasing circulation and keeping the blood flowing. The chewing motion is also suggested to increase and improve arousal level in certain regions of the brain.
3. Carry a nutritious snack
Low blood sugar can make you feel lethargic, but so can loading up on sugary or heavy food items. A fruit, perhaps an apple, can instantly help you sit up and feel alert. The natural sugar rush from an apple will help you have sustained energy versus a chocolate that might give you a sugar rush, but will soon lead to a crash in energy.
