We all know that staying up all night is not healthy but sometimes all of us need to stay awake for some reason. It is not easy to stay awake, especially when we are studying at night. If you have an exam tomorrow, you will probably have to stay awake all night.
Have you ever tried to stay awake at night? Have you ended up falling asleep? Have you ever wondered how to stay awake in class when tired?
In this article you will get the answers to these questions and we will also give you some tips how to stay awake a whole night. These are some of the most common ways to stay awake and we hope they will be helpful for you.
How To Stay Awake At Night?
Take A Nap During The Day. If you want to stay awake at night, it is best to take a nap during the day, if it is possible. This is the best way to stay awake. It is recommended to take a nap 6-7 hours before you usually go to bed. Studies have shown that a half hour nap is also healthy and beneficial for your immune system. If you sleep more than half an hour during the day, you may get into a deeper sleep and you will feel tired when you wake up. If you sleep less than half an hour, you will not get enough sleep and you will not be able to stay awake at night. Experts also recommend us to sleep hour and a half during the day in order to make up for lost sleep.
Get Some Sun. Studies have shown that daylight and sunlight have a strong impact in our circadian rhythms. Because of that it is recommended to spend at least half an hour outside in the daylight and in the sun. Sun and fresh air will revitalize your senses and they will also keep you awake for a longer period of time.
Drink More Water. We all know that experts recommend us to drink a lot of water every day. Eight glasses of water are necessary in order to stay healthy and hydrated. But, you probably didn’t know that dehydration can make you sleepy and tired. In order to prevent dehydration and to stay awake at night, it is recommended to drink a lot of water during the day. It is especially important if you are drinking a lot of coffee because coffee may cause dehydration. We recommend you to drink a glass of water several times a day. It is good to have a bottle of water in your bag at any time. If you don’t want to get asleep, it is recommended to drink cold water because coldness will keep you alert and awake.
Drink Coffee. We all know that coffee can keep you awake too long. It will give you energy that will boost your senses and keep you energized. Studies have shown that the coffee benefits can last 3 to 4 hours after drinking it. If you are planning to stay awake at night, it is best to drink a cup of coffee on every few hours. Not only coffee contains caffeine, but also energy drinks and many teas. Energy drinks are not so healthy, but you can drink them occasionally.
Make the Atmosphere Cool. When you want to sleep your body needs to be at a warm temperature. On the other side, if you want to stay awake, you need to make the atmosphere cooler. If your room is warm, you will probably fall asleep easily. So, we recommend you to open the windows or to turn a fan in your room. A good idea is also to take a cold shower because it will give you a boost of alertness. Sometimes cold compresses to your head or wrists may also help and keep you awake for a longer period of time.
Keep the Lights Bright. It is known that light stimulation to your eyes will make your biological clock to restart later. If you keep the lights bright, your body will think that it is not time for bed yet. Because of that it is recommended to be in a room that is well lit or to use light boxes to help you stay awake at night.
Talk To Your Friend. Another way to keep you awake during the night is to talk to your friend. Your friend may be at your home or you may call him. If you talk to your friend your brain will be stimulated and you will stay awake for a longer period of time.
Move Around. One more advice to stay awake is to get up and move around. This way your blood will flow much easier through your body and you will not fall asleep. The first step is to take break from your computer screen because staring at the computer screen for hours will certainly cause you to fall asleep. You need to relax your eyes from a computer screen. Just get up and move around for a few minutes.
Do Exercise. Studies have shown that exercises are the best way to stay awake at night. Sometimes exercises can be even more effective than some medications that we use to reduce fatigue or increase energy. It is recommended to get at least half an hour of exercise every day. This will certainly increase your energy level and keep you awake. Whenever you are drowsy, just get up and go for a walk.
Switch Tasks. Sometimes a monotonous work that lasts for an extended period of time can make you sleepy. It means that if you feel yourself getting drowsy, you should switch your tasks to something more interesting that requires greater concentration.
Take Short Breaks. If you want to stay awake while studying, it will also be necessary to make pauses from time to time. Short breaks of 5-10 minutes will keep you awake while studying and they will give your mind a refresh. You can simply pace across the room and do some stretching exercises. This way you will be able to focus better and to stay awake the whole night.
Have Three Meals During the Day. If you want to stay awake at night, you should eat at least 3 healthy meals during the day. Also, it is important to eat foods that keep you awake. It is recommended to have a big healthy breakfast, which should include oats, fruits and vegetables. Your breakfast may also be based on proteins such as lean meat, eggs, yogurt and cottage cheese. When it comes to a lunch, a whole grain sandwich and a salad will be a great choice. Your dinner should also be based on whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meat. It is recommended to avoid milk, lemons and granola because these foods can make you sleepy and tired.
Eat a Healthy Snack. Sometimes low blood sugar can make you sleepy so it is necessary to take a snack between meals. It is recommended to choose a healthy snack that will give you energy. You can eat yogurt in combination with fresh fruit, or a peanut butter spread on a wheat cracker. It is also good to eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and healthy carbs, such as oats. But, it is very important to avoid sugar. Sugar will give you a burst of energy but this energy will disappear very quickly. After that you will be even more tired and foggy than before. Because of that, you should avoid sugary foods and choose some healthier snacks.
Chew Gum. One more tip to stay awake overnight is to chew gum. Studies have shown that chewing a gum will keep you awake for a longer period of time.
Get Scared. Although it may sound silly, watching a horror movie or reading something frightening will scare you, so you will not be able to fall asleep.
These are some of the natural ways to stay awake and we hope they will help you. But, have in mind that staying awake the whole night can damage your health. These tips for staying awake should be used only in special occasions, when you have a lot to do during the night. But, the next day you should be careful while driving because you may be tired and foggy.
