How to Stay Awake

There are many reasons you could be feeling fatigued. While this lens is meant to show you the different methods of staying awake, I think it is also important to note that there are some instances when there could actually be something medical going on.



If you KNOW you aren`t getting enough sleep . . . that`s most likely the issue. However, if you sleep tons and still find yourself dragging through the day, it`s time to evaluate what else in your life could be causing the problem.

I`m not going to go into all the various reasons your body could be wearing out too fast, but one very common problem is simply not drinking enough water. Almost all Americans are semi-dehydrated most of the time . . . which can lead to fatigue.

Another medical issue that is very simple to fix is anemia. It can wear you right down and is detectable with a simple blood test. Supplements will perk you right back up.

If you are sure that nothing in your lifestyle is the cause of your fatigue, it might be time to take a trip to your doctor. It`s just not worth it to be exhausted all the time!

If you aren`t eating properly, that could be the cause of your sleepiness. Often, when our blood sugar gets low, we get tired. A good way to prevent this is to look for foods that will keep your energy up for a longer amount of time.

Complex carbohydrates are a good choice for long lasting energy, so things like oatmeal and whole grain bread are ideal. Avoid sugar since it will give you a brief boost and then send you into a downward energy spiral.

Bananas are another excellent food for naturally boosting your energy and helping you stay awake.

Ok, sleeping so you can stay awake may seem counterintuitive, but you can actually get a lot further on a fifteen minute nap than just trying to stay up. If you have an event or know that you are going to be awake all night, then a short nap (no longer than 30 min.) can really perk you up and make those extra hours easier.

Catnapping can be quite beneficial if you perfect it. Some people find they can even nap while seated on the subway or at their desk, making those extra moments of sleep even easier to get.

Getting the blood flowing is an excellent way to wake your body and your mind up. Just take a brisk walk around the block, job in place for a couple of minutes or even do a few simple stretches.



Sitting at a desk or remaining motionless for long periods of time tends to cause your body to fall into a state of rest and it`s very easy for your brain to follow. Getting up every 15-30 min. to walk around and stretch will do wonders for keeping your eyes open.

The brisker the exercise, the better the effect. If you run around the block, you`ll be really feeling chipper by the time you come back!

• Lowers cholesterol levels


• Reduces risk of cancer


• Strengthens the immune system


• Helps prevent heart disease

A classic for those trying to stay awake, coffee has long been the recourse of college students and weary office workers everywhere.

Simply drinking a strong cup of joe isn`t your only option these days, though. You can get coffee candy, gum and a variety of other coffee-based goods to keep your eyes wide. Be forewarned, however, drinking too many specialty coffees can be hard on your wallet, not to mention your body, with all the extra cream and sugar!

You knew this had to be first, right? Energy drinks are some of the most popular ways to stay awake and have actually become something that is abused.

Energy drinks like Red Bull (one of the more popular drinks), contain more than just ordinary caffeine. They are also a source of taurine, which is a naturally produced organic acid that our bodies use during times of stress and exertion.

Overuse of energy drinks such as Red Bull can cause jitters, nervousness and anxiety as your body overreacts to the excess caffeine and stimulation. Most people find that they develop a tolerance to energy drinks and need to drink more than the recommended amount just to feel the effect. Also, if you are using them on a regular basis, you might find that you have trouble staying awake normally without an energy drink in your hand!

For those times when a half dozen cups of coffee would just make you pee all night . . . caffeine pills are the heavy duty waker upper. If green tea is pot, then you can consider these little suckers to be coke.

Caffeine pills affect everyone differently. Some people find that they are too jittery and jumpy on them, while others have a minimal effect.

I have another lens just on caffeine if you`d like to learn more about this handy method of staying awake.

Energy bars are often full of extra ingredients like sugar, to help keep you awake. While they can certainly help, the digestive process can also cause your body to slow down, so it`s a bit of a catch-22.

The best way to find out if energy bars are a good way for you to stay awake is to test them out yourself! Your body needs fuel and this might just be the best way to get it. Just be sure to check the label so you know what you`re putting into your body.