Best Ways to Stay Alert and Awake During the Day

It happens to many of us – nodding off when we are not supposed to. We fall asleep in a moving vehicle or a moving train. We may also catch forty wicks while waiting at the doctor’s, or during a boring sermon or a long speech.

But what about falling asleep in inappropriate situations? You could fall asleep at a meeting in the office - while sitting right opposite your boss. You might also nod off when driving; with serious consequences of course.?

Why are you are falling asleep when you should not? Below are some of the reasons.

1.???? You are sleep deprived:

Chances are that you are not getting enough sleep. This could be due to a medical condition, or simply because you are trying to do too much during your waking hours.

?Sleep deprivation could lead to a host of conditions, including depression and obesity. It may also lead to elevated blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

If you go to bed early but wake up feeling tired, it may be due to sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. Symptoms of the condition include snoring, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue. Sleep apnea needs medical attention as it could lead to heart disease and depression.

?2.???? It is warm and your belly is full:

Remember how difficult it is to stay awake on a hot afternoon? Add a heavy meal to the mixture and that is a sure recipe for dozing off.

Avoid large meals in the middle of the day, especially when you have an afternoon meeting.

?3.???? You are in a moving car or train:

The rocking motion of a moving vehicle makes you sleepy. On a long trip on open country especially, the monotonous noise and unchanging scenery lulls you to sleep. This is more so when you are tired.

?You may get enough sleep and are able to stay awake and alert during the day. However, if you find yourself dozing off within a few minutes of getting into a moving vehicle, then you might have sopite syndrome.

The syndrome is defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) Dictionary of Psychology as a form of motion sickness. It may develop after prolonged exposure to relatively gentle motion or rocking.

?The symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, and chronic fatigue. People with the syndrome take about eight to 10 minutes to fall asleep when a vehicle is in motion. If you suspect you have the condition, seek treatment.

?How to avoid nodding off during the day

1.???? Sleep longer at night:

Don’t try to cram everything into your day. If possible, get help, delegate tasks, and go to bed earlier. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep daily. Stick to your sleeping schedule every day, even on weekends.

2.???? Take a nap:

If possible, take a 20-minute nap during the day. However, don’t take it too late in the day as it might interfere with your sleep.

3.???? Write notes:

At meetings or in church, write notes. The activity keeps you awake.

4.???? Do not feast or starve:

Don’t take a heavy meal just before bedtime. But don’t try to sleep on an empty tummy either.

5.???? Avoid the phone and computer:

Don’t use light-emitting screens just before going to bed, or worse still, in bed.

6.???? Unload your worries:

Meditate, pray, or do breathing exercises to clear your mind of your worries.

Final thoughts

So, don’t endanger your life, your livelihood, or your relationships by falling asleep at inappropriate moments. Control your sleep; don’t let it control you.

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