10 Tips for Staying Alert
Sometimes it's the after-lunch brain fog. Other times we had a late night: Maybe a roommate’s dog barked into the evening, or that darn upstairs neighbor hosted a 3am dance party. Whatever the reason, we might find ourselves needing a pick-me-up. Besides America's favorite drug (caffeine), what are some healthy options to stay alert?
1) Wake up properly: Get morning light to reinforce your circadian rhythm, and try to stick to your usual routine rather than sleeping in.
2) Move: Stand up, walk to the restroom, refill your water cup, change seats; or if not able to do any of these, make some other subtle movement.
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3) Drink water.
4) Chew gum or have a mint.
5) Use your hands. Give yourself a mild pinch. Or lightly touch your hand. Any mild stimulus will do - just be sure to mix it up to avoid acquiring a tic!
6) Participate & engage actively.
7) Turn up the lights and brighten the room.
8) Switch tasks to whatever your mind is saying would be more interesting at that moment.
9) Have a healthy snack. E.g., a small handful of nuts. Be warned - sugary foods/drinks may result in simply postponing a greater crash.
10) Excuse yourself altogether. Just let anyone who is relying on you know you are out of steam, need a break, or need to call it a day. They will understand, trust me, they're human too, and have been through the same!
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Obviously, the most important tip is to sleep well in the first place! You need 9+ hours of sleep a night in your 20s to function at your best! But, as we know, consistently restful nights aren't always possible. I hope you found these tips helpful, and if you have others to share, I'd love to hear them.