How to Stay Awake
Ever found yourself in a situation that you absolutely need to stay awake? Here are some ways to keep awake when sleeping is not an option.
Keep Some Company
When you’re in for some serious studying, invite a friend over to keep you company–and to keep you awake. Having someone to talk to means gives you a useful activity that keeps your brain occupied. You will have someone to bounce ideas off with, and review with.
Having a family member who is also staying up late to study will also help you keep an eye on each other.
Sense of Smell
Aromatherapy can make you feel comfortable, relaxed and yes, even energized. Certain smells can lift your energy and awaken you. Try these scents:
Eucalyptus blue gum
Peppermint
Rosemary
Coffee
Sharp citrus scents
Vinegar
Pine oil
You can either keep the essential oils around, burn a scented candle infused with any of these scents, or even have the real thing right at your side! The next time you visit your favorite coffee place, make sure that you ask for a bag of coffee grounds to keep you reinvigorated.
Eat and Drink
Coffee or power drinks seem to be the most natural things to reach out for when vying for less sleep time. However, what can be considered a necessity can be a hindrance. According to Health Canada, the average person should not take more than 400 mg of caffeine a day, and that means a little over two cups of coffee. Overdosing on coffee can also lead you to sugar crash (if you’re the type who puts in a lot of sugar, it’s likely that it’s the sugar keeping you up, not the coffee) or extreme nervousness, disabling you from concentrating on your test.
When studying, eat, but don’t make yourself too full or stuffed–that’ll make you sleepy. Instead, take small snacks in between, preferably these food:
Apples
Oranges
Sunflower seeds
Raisins
Pickles
Crunchy, textured food with an invigorating flavor has the same effect as smelling scents that would wake you up. Tart, tangy, bitter, and sour flavors are also said to be very effective in waking you up. Nibbling on a lime can do wonders to keep you up.
Drinking water continuously while studying can also keep you awake, and not just because of the extra trips to the bathroom. Dehydration can lead to feelings of fatigue and tiredness, so drink up!
Water can also be used for another thing: Walk to the bathroom and splash some cold water on your face.
Movement
Keeping yourself moving lessens the chance of nodding off into sleep. Try to study while walking on a treadmill, or pace around your study area briskly while reciting some facts you need to memorize.
Try to exercise once every two hours. You can do vigorous exercises like the ones mentioned earlier or you can exercise while sitting at your desk. You can also do yoga poses like the Warrior Pose, to stretch your arms and get your blood pumping. You can also try standing up and breathing deeply and purposefully.
Movement can also mean simple tasks like writing notes or chewing gum. Standing while studying or sitting on an upright chair can also make you less comfortable and less prone to falling asleep.
Noise
If you’re the type to listen to music while studying, study with energizing music. Use headphones if necessary.
Turn on the TV at a low volume to keep you awake. The background noise simulates that someone else is awake other than you.
Setting an hourly alarm clock can also be helpful, just in case you do doze off.
Power Naps
Power naps are short periods of sleep that you have in lieu of the longer sleep people normally have. Power naps should only last for 15 minutes. Drinking a cup of coffee before the power nap is called the caffeine sleep, and is said to help prevent from the sleep extending any much longer.
Don’t forget to set your alarm to ring within 15 minutes before you close your eyes!
Turn on the Light
Having a well-lit room is not just good for your eyes: It will help stimulate your brain and keep you awake.