How do you keep from falling asleep while waiting?
@bagarad (14283)
Paso Robles, California
September 24, 2011 7:24pm CST
I have just finished scanning six book covers to go with some new listings for consumer math workbooks, and I'd have to wait first for the prescan to finish, click a couple of buttons, and then wait a few seconds more for the final scan before resizing and saving. As I was doing the waiting, I could feel my eyelids getting heavier and heavier. Now all I want to do is close my eyes completely and sleep. Of course, I just had a good lunch, so that probably didn't help. What's the best way to keep myself awake if I don't like cofee? Or should I just give in to it and try to take a nap? What do you do when you need to keep awake while working at the computer?
8 people like this
35 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
25 Sep 11
I get tired, especially when I have a lot of schoolwork to do, so when I start getting so droopy, that my work is bad, then I get up and stretch, walk, move around, or even go outside for fresh air, any of these can work to wake me up enough to go on..
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
25 Sep 11
Have you tried stretching steph? Because if one was at work, they can't just go and take a nap, they have to keep working..
Badarad, did you know sometimes if we sleep too much it makes us tired? Are you getting too much sleep?
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
Doing something active will often help me, too, especially if it's outside. The weather was weird today, though. The sunset was gorgeous again, and you know I was really sleepy because I was too tired after my nap to get dressed and go out with my camera to shoot the sunset.
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@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
25 Sep 11
I really don't get sleepy during the day unless I have had to take some extreme medication because of my chronic pain.
Then I sleep.
I do a lot of different things cross stitch, read, etc when I am scanning.
Usually if I am scanning its because I am going to put something up on Ebay so I will be making up what I want to use as a description while the item scans.
For me I do not drink coffee either. They say tea helps, but I have drank every flavor under the sun and it does not seen to aid me.
If I am feeling sleepy I will grab a coke or caffinated beverage and its either the caffiene or carbonation jolts me one.
Everyone says its the caffiene, but I also drink decaffinated sodas like sierra mist, cherry 7-UP, even a grape or orange soda has no caffiene so I think its the carbonation that gives me a punch if I feel sleepy.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
BarBara, if it's the sugar, then the chocolate covered peanuts should have done the trick. I had a small glass of decaf orange soda with my lunch, which was a green salad, two small pieces of beef, and a medium baked potato with sour cream. I don't usually eat that much meat at a sitting, so maybe my body just isn't used to digesting it. (Maybe I should eat protein like that before bed.)
Marie, I usually find it hard to sleep during the day, but when I can hardly keep my eyes open, and it's possible, I do lie down and put my rain tape on to get the best chance of falling asleep quickly. I think I did dose off a bit, and since my shower I'm a bit more awake. Hope I will be able to get those six books listed now. I have to list them first in the database and then on my web site, so it will probably take at least an hour.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
25 Sep 11
I like to have the radio going. And, I usually have several things going on at once so while I'm waiting on one, I'm working on another. Of course, most of my computer work is on my days off, so if I get sleepy, I'll just take that nap! LOL
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
I do have a Mozart CD that I sometimes use to help me concentrate. They say classical music helps, and for me Mozart has proved the best for this. I probably should have played it last night.
@mods196621 (3652)
• Philippines
25 Sep 11
For me the best thing i do is to take a little nap for at least 10mins. IT helps a lot because if you do not do this you always feel sleepy. The heavy eyes and teary is a sign that you need to rest and take a nap. The 10mins is good for you to stay awake longer. Then when you awake try to have some coffee. You can continue now what you are doing.![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
Very good advice. Believe it or not, though, when I actually lie down for that nap, it sometimes it takes me longer than ten minutes to fall asleep. Sometimes, though, just giving in to the urge to lie down with my eyes closed instead of fighting to keep my eyes open, helps. Sometimes I don't fall asleep, but if I do, I sleep until I wake up, usually about 30-60 minutes.
@thatgirl13 (7294)
• South Korea
25 Sep 11
Oh waiting is something I really hate. I get so bored, impatient and whatnots! I really can't fight the sleepy feeling when I get one and just go take a nap. And that nap turns out to be a long one and again there goes my sleep at night
Anyway if I had to keep myself awake, i would just keep myself busy with something on the laptop maybe? Mylot seldom get me sleepy and sometimes even when I am so tired and want to sleep and I just log in for a few checks on mylot, I find myself sitting here for hours haha! Or I just play my favourite games on my phone or watch funny videos on youtube haha!
That's all I've got ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
I'm afraid I do more waiting on myLot than I do when I'm scanning. It takes longer for a page to load than it takes for a scan to complete. Sometimes, as you say, the nap is best.
@DonaMario (9)
• United States
25 Sep 11
Keep your mind focused on something else while you wait, if you can. Like maybe read a book or maybe go through a magazine. Try writing a poem or a letter. You can also try tea since you don't like coffee. English tea and Grey tea tend to keep me up. Hopefully something helps!
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@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
25 Sep 11
I get up and go do other things also but if I work long hours, it is time to just go lay down.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
Good suggestions, all. Sometimes a book does work. Problem with that is I get really interested in the book and want to ditch the work and just finish the book. That happened with Griffin's Final Justice earlier this week. The caffiene in the chocolate covered peanuts I ate after lunch didn't help, but maybe I should have had tea instead of water with them.
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@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
25 Sep 11
I would take a nap. If not, I would walk around and keep moving if I absolutely have to keep awake,that is , if I have to watch the product very carefully or have to go somewhere right then. I do think it was the lunch. I often feel tired after I eat, and Ido drink coffee so that does not help that much.
Maybe I should drink Starbuck Coffee instead of Tim Hortons. They are strong enough to go through the bottom of a cup.
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@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
27 Sep 11
I wonder if it is a type of Starbucks coffee. That would be way too strong for me. I do not like the smell of smoking, but I do love coffee. Beans would be rather weak. I have to read the label to see if the coffee is strong enough when I buy coffee beans.
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@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
27 Sep 11
Hi Barb!
I always feel like this in the afternoons! Sometimes I play computer games for a while if I feel sleepy. After that, I will get back to work. If I still feel sleepy after working a while, then that's the time I give in and take a short nap.
Sometimes, I just stand up and do some walking or something.
Sleepiness is terrible in the afternoon after lunch time. It's so strong that you really have to fight hard against it. ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
28 Sep 11
Is it still summer there? I understand your next season is fall, right?
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
28 Sep 11
I'm fighting it again right now. The swamp cooler isn't cooling very well, and it is 88 up here and the fan is making the sleepy noise, as well. I thought I was going to the other house with A/C tonight after the post office, but then my husband went to the post office since he was going out anyhow. So here I am. Maybe I will go do some dishes and read downstairs until the sun goes down and it cools off a bit up here.
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@drannhh (15219)
• United States
25 Sep 11
I don't like coffee either, but I hardly ever feel sleepy at the computer, probably because I have more than one computer and many tabs open and usually 2 or 3 different browsers open, to.
To be honest, while I am waiting for something to happen on one computer, usually I am playing a game on another. My favorite online skill gaming site now has "speed" games that can be played in seconds for people like me :-) They are almost like the 5-minute games but last only 1 minute. They can be played free, or for money. The money games are not legal in all states, but they are legal here in California. When I go to my winter vacation home in AZ then they are verboten!
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@drannhh (15219)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I like manual games better for bonding when family members are in the same house, but the computer games with chat in private rooms work good for bonding with family members who live far away. It is a little more intimate than emailing. Well, yes they are time consuming, but for me very relaxing.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
I have never played computer games, since I really don't have time to get hooked on them. Games seem like a waste of time to me unless they are giving family members something to do together. We used to play games with our kids as a form of bonding.
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@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
30 Sep 11
Hi Bagarad, usually i will just walk around with swinging both my hands to and fro, while waiting for my scanner or printer finishing the job. Especially, after lunch, we tends to fall asleep easily. So, try have a cup of warm tea and walks around with swinging both your hands. It not only keep you awake but also makes your brain stay alert and active. I had tried these few simple tips and it really helps me a lot, while i was still working before. Hope it could helps you, too...
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@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
30 Sep 11
Thanks for this advice. I will have to try that. I did something similar this afternoon, but it was mostly to see if moving instead of sitting while I wait would use more calories and help me lose more weight. Maybe I can stay awake better and lose weight at the same time.
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@allknowing (132209)
• India
25 Sep 11
When there is some activity on my pc where my presence is not needed I do something else. There is enough on my plate that can occupy me elsewhere. I have the kitchen to take care of, watching tv would be another alternative, strolling in the garden, playing with my pet..... Come on bagarad I am sure you have similar or may be more interesting chores around you that would keep you occupied.![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@allknowing (132209)
• India
25 Sep 11
But you had your 40 winks too! You sure know how to get the best deals for you bagarad!
Starting is sure the most difficult part of any venture. I am still writing my book. I decided on the title way back!![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
Of course. But the highest priority tonight is getting those books listed and I will do it. To help wake up I took the nap, took the shower, made tea, and did the dishes. I'm just about ready to list those scanned books now. The hardest part is starting.
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@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
29 Sep 11
I have had that happen to me. When I get tired while working on the computer, I get up and walk around. I like coffee, so I will make a cup. If you don't like coffee, walk around and maybe drink some water. But, if the feeling becomes overwhelming, take a nap. I get that way because of my diabetes, and sometimes I cannot control it. But I do try and fight it.
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@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
29 Sep 11
I was really tired on my computer this afternoon. The swamp cooler couldn't keep up with the heat up here and the fan was making a whirring noise, and I could barely keep my eyes open. I was sure when I went to the other house that has A/C I would sleep, but, instead, I started another book, watered some plants, and ate something and then I didn't feel so sleepy anymore because it was cooler. Now I'm back up here again. It's cooler now that it's dark, but the fan is still whirring me to sleepiness. Something tells me I just may go to bed earlier tonight.
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@Jlyn10 (11966)
• Malaysia
25 Sep 11
For me, tea usually helps to keep me awake. Try taking a break by walking around or switch your attention to doing something else for a little while. If that doesn't work, maybe you can just rest your eyes for a few minutes like taking a very short nap and then wash your face and get back to what your are doing.
@edbuex (169)
• Uganda
25 Sep 11
on the other page u can surf about the most interesting thing in your life so as you are waiting for the scans what about that..... but you can even put your self on a task of finishing what you want irrespective of how u feel... i hope that a person will only n only feel tired or sleepy if he she puts him her self in a condition of feeling it.... the more you think about getting tired ,asleep its when u feel a lot of it so set your self you'll get the positive results...thank u
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@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
25 Sep 11
Very true. I work with alot of sites daily. I do not just work with one at a time because that is boring and makes me tired too. I work with a couple of them at a time to maximize my earnings and stay busy with no waiting.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
There's not enough time during the scans to do much of anything -- not even read an email. It doesn't take as much time as waiting for a myLot page to reload.
@BarBaraPrz (46490)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Sep 11
You could try standing up and getting a glass of water,
or,
you can take a nap (my fave).
=^..^=
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
25 Sep 11
When one feels too tired, the best would be to have a nap and get refreshed. Feeling sleepy while driving, for instance, would be very hazardous. If during making copies, or working in front of a computer, what I usually do is have a glass of my favorite fruit juice. That helps to some extent !
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@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
25 Sep 11
Amen to that. A nap and sleep is good for the body and the brain.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
I agree one should not drive when as tired as I was two hours ago -- not unless there's someone else in the car to help you stay awake. I normally get off at a fast food restauant and get a cola and sit there to get a break from the road, and maybe even walk around for a bit before getting back in the car.
For now, I think I'll go make that pot of tea Marie suggested and then start the listing of the books. While I'm waiting for the tea to boil, I'll work on the dishes. Maybe that will help me wake up.
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@mentalward (14690)
• United States
25 Sep 11
I used to proofread in an office. My hours were different than most there, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and I was pretty much alone after 5 p.m. That was the time I had the worst problem staying awake. I tried coffee but the weirdest thing happened. I found myself falling asleep faster after drinking it! Maybe it was the heat, I don't know. My son told me the same thing happens to him when he drinks coffee.
I found that drinking plain ol' water helps. Well, I always had ice cold water. I have since read that water can help more than any caffeinated drink in helping you to stay awake and alert. It definitely worked for me.
Sometimes, it was so bad that water alone wasn't enough. At those times, I'd get up, stretch, take a little walk outside for some fresh air and come back after about 5 minutes and felt really refreshed.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
mentalward, I was drinking ice water with my chocolate covered peanuts, but neither helped. Probably walking outside might have.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
I'm afraid that won't work for me, since I don't ever want to smoke. Better to take nap, which I just did, but i'm still sleepy, so next I hit the shower.
@thestavreva (151)
• Greece
25 Sep 11
I have always wonder how can someone can fall a sleep when he do something,like when i reading a book for example its just strange.My grandfather was interesting character all he need was the smell of a pillow he fall a sleep while his head is till in the air and didnt touch the pillow yet :).I always need atleast half hour to fell a sleep so its just interesting to me.Even see people falling a sleep while they walked!!!
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@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
25 Sep 11
Straing at this computer screen and working long hours makes me very sleepy.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
25 Sep 11
My husband used to be able to fall asleep anywhere, but now that he's older, he sometimes has trouble. He has started waking up about 4 or 6 and then sits in his chair with the radio very soft and falls back asleep. Sometimes I've barely gotten to bed at that time.
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@devi53 (347)
• India
31 Oct 11
I think you can change into the comedy channel or any other channel you like better and spent some time in it we get relaxed and we get refreshed. When my husband comes late in the night i usually get upset and then i changed my computer site, my favorite channel is comedy channel while involving it we get relaxation and our
mode changes and we will forgotten the sleep.
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