10 ways not to fall asleep at the office

15 May 2009 17 Comments

Sleeping in the office

Feeling sleepy in the office. Can’t wait till the end of working day. Coffee isnt’t helping. There is only a picture of a bed and a pillow in your mind. Recognizing yourself? Thats the severe case of office sleepiness where you think nothing can help you to survive through the day before you finally can reach your own bed and sleep, sleep, sleep.
Yet you can help yourself.

Here are 10 ways of how not to fall asleep at the office.

Exhilarating scent

You don’t have to drink coffee. Smelling it would do a trick. Aroma oils could be helpful too – eucalyptus or mint. Any strong scent could at least for some time keep you awake.

Massage

There are several techniques of how to bring all your body systems back to life. Massage special areas in your arms, palms, face and head. Few minutes of self-cure and your body will relax; fill with warmth and you will feel fresh and active again.

Light

Our body is smart. It knows where we are supposed to sleep. When it’s dark it’s a signal to the brain that sleep is a good option. Make sure there is enough light in the room. Come to the window, stay there for few minutes absorbing the day light. If there are no windows in the room, make sure the light is bright enough. For time being it will help.

Make yourself uncomfortable

It might sound paradoxically, who likes to put themselves into an uncomfortable position? But the more comfortable you feel sitting on your chair the sleepier you will feel. Change the chair or even stand up but keep working.

Food

Don’t let yourself be hungry. Don’t eat too much. Find a balance. Snacks are fine. If your stomach is full, and your head is fogged from not enough sleep, it is a good chance that your brain will not clearly respond to the given realities

Music

That’s a sure way. Good music might keep you awake as long as those are not slow love ballads. The best way is to listen to unknown tracks, it’s better for brain concentration.

Go for a walk

If you cant go outside. Walk in the office. Run in the hall. Jump. It isn’t helping? Jump more. Don’t care what people say. They have their own issues. So don’t bother about them thinking you are mad. Maybe seeing you so actively demonstrate a healthy lifestyle they will join you.

Water

Not drinking, though drinking is good too. But just sprinkle some cold water in your face. Due to old age instincts the brain will momentarily give a signal that more water is to come as if we are diving. This way oxygenated blood springs to heart and brain – 2 most important organs. The heartbeat normalizes and the head is clearing.

Desk cleaning

If you still can’t concentrate on your work - do at least something useful. Like desk cleaning. This way you won’t screw up with your assignment and still will do something. Besides you will not just sit quietly and type something but rather move around. And the view of a clean desk brings positive emotions which can be exhilarating.
Even if the trick does not work and you are still sleepy, at least tomorrow you will start the day with a clean desk.

Sleep

If you must not but really want to, then a bit will not hurt. Give yourself 15-20 minutes of rest. Sleep on your desk, just don’t forget to tell the colleagues not to disturb with “Are you fine?” – type of questions.
If none of them work, wait till the end of the working day, get home, hug your pillow and sleep.

You had a very tiring day.