Sleepy... what do you do to keep awake?
By ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
December 18, 2008 3:57am CST
It is one of those long days where I feel so tired.
I have no idea why I am feeling so tired of late.
I sleep enough. I eat well. SO what is making me so tired?
It is at times like these that the days seem extra long!
It is really tough to stay awake at the work place!
Usually a cuppa coffe will help. But today, even the strongest of coffee cannot replace the match sticks I am using to prop my eyelids open.
Listening to music helped a little. But it is really... *yawn~~~~* 
feeling darn tired. What the heck is going on?
I am sure you have had days like me. What do you do to keep from dozing off at the desk at work?
feeling darn tired. What the heck is going on?
I am sure you have had days like me. What do you do to keep from dozing off at the desk at work?6 people like this
32 responses
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
19 Dec 08
I have read the other responses and found out most of what I knew have been mentioned. I would like to add the use of creative visualisation or mind control as a method to keep awake.
Before you take a nap try to focus your mind into emptiness. Then tell yourself you are going to take a nap. Continue telling yourself that during the nap your body will be charged up. Therefore when you wake up you will feel refreshed.
Usually I gained about 2 hours.
all the best,
rosdimy
rosdimy2 people like this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
7 Jan 09
You are referring to those power naps at regular intervals.
Well, I do not know if it is a good idea to take power naps in the office.
Especially when my cubicle is so exposed.
It is a good way to keep alert. But not very feasible if you have to work in a cubicle in the office.
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Coffee never works for me. Besides, I hate the tastes. My first time drinking coffee years ago was my last time.
How about jumping around or doing shadow boxing? That's what I do to keep awake. It helps. 
Music helps too but I need to listen to music from Linkin Park and not Frank Sinatra. Important thing is not to eat. The more I eat, the sleepier I get.
Music helps too but I need to listen to music from Linkin Park and not Frank Sinatra. Important thing is not to eat. The more I eat, the sleepier I get.
2 people like this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
Shadow boxing? In my cubicle?
I would look like a mad man who has gone bonkers from too much paper work!!!
Like I mentioned earlier, I have not changed my routine much. But of late, I am super tired. I do not know why. Music used to help a little to keep me awake. But the last few days, even with RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS blasting in my ears, I am still dozing off to la-la land!
Like I mentioned earlier, I have not changed my routine much. But of late, I am super tired. I do not know why. Music used to help a little to keep me awake. But the last few days, even with RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS blasting in my ears, I am still dozing off to la-la land!
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
19 Dec 08
Because I'm a writer, I'm lucky I can just take a nap when I'm tired provided I'm not on a deadline. However, if I really do need to stay awake, I have caffeine especially Mountain Dew. I don't drink caffeine that often so when I have it you can really tell the difference. I act high, but at least I get my work done. I also spend the whole next day in the bathroom because my body doesn't like it but that's probably too much information.
1 person likes this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
28 Jan 09
I write most poems and about politics on various blogging sites.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
Spend the whole of next day in the bathroom?
As in having a diahorrea cos of the caffeine?
This is something new to me. I never knew you can get diahorrea from drinking caffeine drinks.
It always happens like that?
You are a writer you mentioned. So, what do you write about? Care to share?
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Luckily i dun work in office kinda of places.. hehe ^_^ When i was still a smoker, i will be going out for smoke breaks to freshen myself up.. haha =D IF not, i will be doing some light stretches, to warm up my aching body.. Try to walk around and sweat abit.. hehe ^_^
That works for me, but i dunno about u though ^_^ But stretching will definitely help in some ways ^_^ Especially your legs and hands ^_^
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
There is a limit to how much that stretching can work towards keeping you awake.
Once all the muscles are loosen, the stretching does not work anymore.
You do not work in an office? You mean you have a stay at home job?
Or one that you are constantly onsite away from the office?
At times like these, where I am super sleepy, I sure wished I had your kind of job. At least I am on my feet and not desk bound and dreading it.
What are you working as?
What are you working as?1 person likes this
@neuronic (242)
• Japan
18 Dec 08
there's one thing that helps me, and you should try as well if you can. I'd usually go for a 10 min walk and think about what I want to do, and what's the meaning/point... it works like a self-motivational reverse psychology for me... I don't know how to put it in other words
1 person likes this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
19 Dec 08
Nothing in particular. When I am really sleepy, as it happens in office after lunch, nothing really works except for work. Immediately after lunch say around 2:30 I start feeling really drowsy. I have tried splashing water on my face, mylotting, going for small walks…nothing works. I have even waited as long as I could and just had a cup of coffee but nothing has helped. Only if I am busy with work do I not feel drowsy. Otherwise I just have to somehow pass the time till 4pm after which somehow the sleepiness just disappears.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
And here I am thinking I was alone in this time period.
That I am the only one feeling sleepy from 2.30 to 4pm every day without fail.
That is why I dread planning meetings after lunches.
It is the worst time to be sitting down and doing nothing but listen to people in a meeting within the 2-4pm period!
I too will only feel alert when I am working and busy.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
I do some of the stuff you mentioned as well.
Drinking coffee with stronger dose and without sugar. Checked.
Chatting with co workers to get out of the bored phase. Checked.
Going for a walk to shake of the sleepiness. Will try that soon.
TAKE HALF A DAY OFF TO GO HOME AND SLEEP?!?
Leave is too precious to be doing things like that unless I cannot help it cos I am sick or something!
Leave is too precious to be doing things like that unless I cannot help it cos I am sick or something!
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
21 Dec 08
I usually get up and walk a bit. Or open my window to get some fresh air.
I don't drink coffee so I don't even have that "pick me up" feeling.
I often get tired when I am a bit depressed or frustrated with something. At those times no matter how many hours I sleep it never seems to be enough to get me rested. I don't really like it when it happens :)
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
7 Jan 09
Neither do I like that feeling of lethargy.
It really affects the effectiveness of my performing my daily duties and errands.
You just cannot think straight. And there is so many typo in my documents, I end up have to proof read them a few times just to ensure that I arrested all the errors that I commited while I was typing the document in my semi trance state.
@youless (112586)
• Guangzhou, China
19 Dec 08
I wonder whether the weather will have an effect on you so that you will feel sleepy. If the coffee can't help so much, perhaps it's better for you to have a short time break if it's possible. Probably it will be helpful for you.
I love China
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
being the hypochondriac that i am, i can't help but think of sleep apnea. it's a condition where you don't get enough rest when you sleep. this is usually caused by a obstructed air passage. the most obvious symptom will be the loud snoring during sleep. other symptoms include tiredness, falling asleep during meetings or even when driving etc.
if you find yourself tired all the time and can't figure out why, you might want to consider consulting a doctor
when i'm feeling really tired (usually it's because i stayed up too late on the previous night), i'll grab a red bull. it works for me.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
I do not know if that is the case. I never had problems with snoring before.
Maybe I should ask my wife if I am snoring too loud of late to see if that is the problem.
I am guessing this lethargy is a passing phase. And I sure hope it passes soon.
*yawn~~~!*
@maxilimian (3099)
• Indonesia
19 Dec 08
Do you really need to keep awake?If there's no important things to keep you awake then don't force your body to fight, because it's bad for health ... (i've been told by other mylotter on my discussion about this)
My suggestion if you really need to fight it just drink a cup of coffee and get up from your bad or chair, doing some activities to keep you busy, and then you will forget that you are sleepy, remember don't sit or even lay down, coz it's stimulate you to feel sleepy again
My suggestion if you really need to fight it just drink a cup of coffee and get up from your bad or chair, doing some activities to keep you busy, and then you will forget that you are sleepy, remember don't sit or even lay down, coz it's stimulate you to feel sleepy again 1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
7 Jan 09
ha ha ha ha... I have tried all the methods you mentioned.
When I get really tired, even standing, I can dose of.
It at the time of the posting, I was in one of those sleepy modes.
I ever stand up at my cube and wrote an entire document while standing up just so that I do not fall asleep from re-reading my mundane material.
And I have to proof read it so many times, I can literally memorise the darn document already.
@rajeshank (253)
• India
18 Dec 08
I use to cup of coffee if i feel sleepy during my office time...and otherwise i use to go to wash place and split cold water on my face it will make me awake..morethen all i will smoke if i feel really very sleepy that's good medicine that makes awake...:)
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
ha ha ha ha ha... I am not a smoker, so the last option isn't really one I could use.
Drinking coffee, extra strong without sugar. Checked.
Washing face with minty face wash. Checked.
Thanks for the suggestions though. They are plenty good.
Happy mylotting!
@alindahaw (1219)
• Philippines
19 Dec 08
I used to drink plenty of coffee to keep myself wide awake but I stopped doing that when I has acid reflux. Since I no longer have coffee to keep me awake, I do some simple exercises when I feel sleepy. A few streching and bending keep me awake and alert more than coffee did. When I feel really sleepy, I take a nap. A fifteen minute nap is enough to renew my energy.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
Like I mentioned before, drinking coffee has its limits. Once the body is used to that level of caffeine, it no longer works very well.
As for stretching, it is good for a short time only. Once all the muscles are loosened and stretched, the effects of further stretching is no longer useful.
But thanks for the suggestions though. They are all valid and good!
@regal_aeros (2605)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
i'm taking that u're also from the sunny island.
well, the weather today is rather warm. so you could go get a cold drink. some brain freeze drink i guess. it always gets me awake.
another is a very unhealthy habit is snacking. keep your mouth moving and u'd not want to sleep so much.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
Yeah... when the mouth moves, the waist line also moves along with it.
I am trying to cut down on my snacking for a good half a year now.
It is working so far as I do not need to rely on eating to keep awake.
The lethargy is happening only in the past week or so.
Sure hope this is a passing phase. Once it goes away, everything should be just fine.
@playmateshorty (365)
• United States
19 Dec 08
music, and some texts from the lover. often have to take a few quick walks to wake my body up!
1 person likes this
@shalli17here (627)
• Indonesia
19 Dec 08
yeah ive been there too Ahgong, it happens at a time..it could be coz of the weather u have there, or the boring season just come to u, or u might dont feel well or ill but u didnt realize it. it could be anything tho lol
if me, i will take my time to get some rest or go for vacation, just do sth that will relax us n give it a time..after that, u'll get ur stamina back ahgong..
have a nice day :D
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
I ran out of leave to take for the year. So going on a vacation is not an option till next year.
I guess getting some time off to catch up on my sleep debt with the sand man is what I need.
Maybe a little exercise to shed the excess weight might help some.
Looks like a new year's resolution is in order.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Dec 08
I am sitting where there are no windows to open.
Chewing gum is a luxury I do not get where I am.
I do make beverages to drink and eat biscuits sometimes.
Other than some stretching and drinkng coffee, there is not much else I can do.
Thanks for the suggestions though. They are good.
Happy mylotting my friend!
