If you are anything like me, you are a zombie in the morning without coffee. Staying awake is easy, take a few shots of espresso and an energy drink and you’re good to go. But you will also probably die from a heart attack. As much as you may like to drink coffee all the time, a lot of caffeine isn’t good for you, and there are healthier ways for staying alert. With exams right around the corner (or right in front of you) you should try and limit the amount of caffeine you consume through coffee and energy drinks. Try out some of these quick tips to stay awake without coffee.
Drink Tons of Water
Drinking water is one of the best things you can do when you are studying. Dehydration can make you tired, so if you keep your body hydrated you can stave off those symptoms. If you are really sleepy, drink a lot of ice cold water to jolt your senses. Plus, if you have to keep getting up to go to the bathroom, there is no chance that you will fall asleep.
Take Breaks
Your brain needs to rest if you want to study hard for a long time and do well on your test. Schedule out your time so you have 10 minute breaks every hour or so. Watch a TV show, talk to a friend, read a book, or listen to some music. It doesn’t matter, do whatever is best for you to unwind after a hard study session. A break will make it easier to focus after studying for a while.
Don’t Get Too Comfortable![Uncomfortable 199x300]( "Uncomfortable 199x300")
You can’t lie out on your bed or chill on the couch if you expect to get through five chapters in your book. Getting too comfortable is a sure fire way to sleep through your study time. Go somewhere with good, strong lighting, a non-squishy chair, and a table or desk. Sit up while you study and change positions in order to keep yourself awake.
Shake it Off
Exercise can be a great way to wake yourself up when you’re tired. Take a short walk, dance like a crazy person, or head over to the gym for a little while. Moving around will release endorphins and make it easier to stay up. If you take a shower after you work out, especially a cold one, it will help you wake up even more.
Eat Right
Low blood sugar can cause you to feel tired, so getting your blood sugar up by eating a healthy snack is important. Apples, and other fruits, are a good food to help you keep your blood sugar stable so you can stay awake. Whole grains are also good to eat because they will make you feel full without making you tired. During exams you want to try and eat smaller meals because big meals take longer to metabolize and will leave you feeling sleepy.
Peppermint Gum
A study at NYU showed that chewing gum helps improve your memory, focus, and concentration. The chewing motion releases insulin into your bloodstream, which improves your memory. It also increases the blood flow to your brain cells to help you concentrate. According to the U.S. Armed Forces, chewing gum can also help relieve stress.
Keep Busy
If you physically write notes down instead of just reading your textbook, it will help keep your mind from wandering elsewhere. I’m sure that everyone has, at least once, reread a paragraph in a textbook over and over with no recollection whatsoever about the information. Write down key points or, at the very least, the titles because it will keep you focused on the task at hand.
Keep it Cool![Cold 300x211]( "Cold 300x211")
If you are in a warm and stuffy room, you are just going to feel more tired and want to sleep. If you need to stay awake, pick a room that is cold because it will prevent you from wanting to sleep and slow down mental fatigue. It might be a little uncomfortable at first, but it is better than falling asleep while you are studying.
Laugh it Out
If you do something as simple as look up funny YouTube videos or pictures on the internet, it can help you stay awake when all you want to do is sleep. A good laugh will help stimulate your brain which, in turn, will help you stay awake longer. Just make sure you don’t get too distracted by the internet and forget all about studying.
Spice it Up
Warm and soothing drinks like chamomile tea are great if you want to sleep. Conversely, strong and spicy flavors are going to jolt you awake. If you feel like you are about to fall asleep eat something spicy like jalapenos or drizzle some hot sauce on your tongue. It is going to be brutal for a little there, but you won’t fall asleep after that. Exams are a battlefield. Be brave.
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