Things to Do to Keep You Awake

Feeling sleepy makes it tough to focus at work, study for school or stay safe on the road. Caffeine and sugary snacks give you a burst of energy, but these quick fixes usually leave you yawning again in an hour or two. There are some other things that can keep you awake when you're on the verge of nodding off or prevent you from feeling drowsy in the first place.

Hydrate

Dehydration causes fatigue, so increasing your water intake should energize you. Sip water throughout the day instead of gulping caffeine-loaded coffee, soda or energy drinks. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily to stay hydrated and energized.

Get Moving

When your eyelids are drooping, get up and move around. The short walk across your office is enough to increase blood flow, sending oxygen and nutrients to feed your body and mind; walking briskly for at least 10 minutes leaves you feeling peppier and less tired at work. Try to incorporate 30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine to keep sluggishness at bay.

Steal a Nap

A short "power nap" helps you feel more alert, but too much napping might have the opposite effect. If you opt for a nap to recharge your battery, limit your snooze to 25 minutes or less. If you have trouble falling asleep quickly, you'll benefit from simply closing your eyes and relaxing for 10 minutes.

Rest Your Eyes

Long stretches of reading or sitting in front of a computer screen can cause visual strain. When your eyes are tired, it's easy to feel groggy. If you need to stay awake while working at the computer or hitting the books, give your eyes short, periodic breaks. Look away from the page or screen for a few minutes and return to your work refreshed.

Grab a Snack

A handful of nuts or carton of yogurt provides healthy protein to fuel you up and keep you going. Vegetables and fruits have a high water content, so choosing these snacks give you some energy to burn and hydrate you at the same time.

Breathe

Sit up straight and take a few deep breaths to raise your blood oxygen level, increase circulation and feel more alert. If possible, head outdoors and try some energizing breathing exercises. The fresh air clears out the cobwebs, and a dose of sunlight tells your body it's not the optimal time to sleep.

Sleep Tight

If you're always tired, it's probably because you've been skimping on sleep night after night. Adjust your schedule to fit in 7 to 10 hours of sleep each night, depending on your personal needs. If you're getting plenty of sleep but still have trouble staying awake during the day, see your doctor to rule out a medical condition that could be causing fatigue.