Midday sleepiness can put a slump in your productivity and have you wondering about ways to fight sleepiness. Do you find yourself wanting to curl up for a nap in the middle of your workday? Understanding what may cause your afternoon drowsiness and putting into action some natural ways to fight sleepiness will get you on the right track to raising your energy and staying productive.
It’s no wonder you need ways to fight sleepiness if you are in the habit of staying up super late each night despite an early morning alarm. Or maybe you are like many others whose sleep gets thrown off by late nights and sleeping in on the weekend. If you are serious about putting that drained and drowsy feeling to rest then you need to regulate your sleep and stick to the same sleep pattern, even on the weekends.
Naps are nice, aren’t they? A short 30 minute nap can do wonders when afternoon sleepiness is kicking in. Thirty minutes is enough to kick the yawns and give you back your energy, making you more productive for the rest of the afternoon. Don't nap too long though. A long nap may make it hard to fall asleep at bedtime.
Are you drinking enough water? Staying hydrated can also help against tiredness. It’s amazing what water can do for you. Get in your 8 to 10 glasses of H2O and see if you can find an improvement in your mid day drowsiness.
Your body needs calories to fuel your day. Not eating breakfast gives you a sluggish start to your day that will only continue as the day goes on. Breakfast doesn’t need to be a huge meal. A bowl of cereal or fruit is plenty to get you started. Some of you may find eating a small meal upon waking and then following up with a morning snack will help. What did you have for breakfast today?
While your body needs calories for energy, not all calories are created equal. Calories packed with fat and sugars will cause your blood sugar to spike and leave you feeling drained and weary.
We know we should eat breakfast, and shouldn’t eat high fat and sugary foods to fight sleepiness. What should you eat? The answer is simple. A balanced diet of whole-grains, fruits, veggies and lean meats is perfect. What are some of your favorite nutritious things to eat?
Fresh air is good too. Being stuck inside can be draining. Fresh air is a perfect way to add a little energy to your day. Open a window, step outside, or go for a walk. Enjoy some fresh air and sunshine when you are feeling tired but can’t stop for a nap.
Try some of these tips out next time you are feeling tired in the middle of your day. By regulating your sleep pattern and adding in a few of these tips, you should be able to fight sleepiness with no problem. Let me know if you try any of these ways to fight sleepiness. I want to know how they work for you. Also share any of your own tips.