Tips on How to Stay Awake at Work
Fight the Urge to Nap at Your Office and Keep Alert All Day
You can have the best job in the world, and there will still be days when your head just isn't in the game. Maybe it's from lack of sleep the night before, or the weather, but for some reason you can't stay awake. Here are some suggestions for beating the need to snooze, at least until you can catch a nap in the supply closet.
Eat, Drink and Stay Awake
Energy drinks can be good for short boosts, but unless you have a steady supply of them, the crash after they wear off can put you in a worse state of fatigue than before. Perk up with good old caffeine, and then continue to stay away by sucking on hard candy with a strong flavor such as peppermints or cinnamon disks. If caffeine is off limits or unavailable, stay well hydrated by drinking a steady stream of cold water or fluids that contain electrolytes, like Gatorade.
Avoid eating anything heavy during a snack break or lunch. Heavy meals wil just induce a sleep spell that may be enough to put you over the edge. Taking a good daily multi-vitamin can also help. Select a well balanced over the counter variety and remember to take it every morning; before long you'll be surprised at the extra bounce in your step.
Turn on a Fan, Go for a Walk
If you’re stuck at your desk, get a small portable fan and turn it on. A blast of cold air across the face can do wonders for waking you up. If you can open a window, try that and if all else fails get up and take a short walk. Getting the blood flowing through your extremities can make you feel invigorated and fresh air will awaken your senses.
Force Yourself to Interact
If you find the need to sleep taking over during a meeting, lecture or interaction with a colleague, force yourself to ask questions, take notes or otherwise participate to help engage you. When a case of the yawns consumes you, excuse yourself to the restroom and splash your face with cool water. This will not only bring you to your senses, but flush your skin a bit to give you a bright eyed fresh appearance.
Everyone has days when they’d rather have stayed in bed, but for the sake of professionalism and avoiding complete embarrassment, keep these tricks in mind when staying awake becomes a challenge. The office isn’t the best place to catch a cat nap, but with a little help, staying alert may not be easy but it’s certainly possible.
