Falling asleep at work? Here are a few tips to stay awake

If you feel you are getting a good night’s rest and are sure you don't have a sleep disorder, but still have trouble staying awake at work, here are a few suggestions:

· Consume some caffeine – Coffee, tea and cola all contain caffeine. If you consume a moderate amount of caffeine, less than 300 milligrams, you should be fine. However, if you take too much, you may have side effects, like nervousness, anxiety and diarrhea.

· Energy drinks – They have an about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, 85 mg. Energy drinks also contain taurine and guarana. Taurine is an amino acid that is present in meat, fish and also in human breast milk. Recent research has shown that a combination of taurine and caffeine can increase mental functions. Guarana is a plant product grown in Brazil that contains caffeine. The same side effects experienced with coffee will also occur if you have too many energy drinks.

· Over-the-counter (OTC) stimulants - The main ingredient of these stimulants is caffeine. Remember not to go overboard.

· Take a catnap - A short nap lasting about 15 to 20 minutes, could increase your level of alertness, enhance your productivity and improve your mood.

· Take a walk - A brisk five-minute walk outside in the fresh air can make you more alert. Stretching is also a good way to get the blood flowing to heighten your senses.

· Wash your face with cold water – If you use cold water it will pep you up make you feel more alert.

If you're still sleepy after trying these suggestions, you might not be getting enough sleep at night. Go sleep an hour earlier every night for a week and see if you're more alert at work. If that doesn’t work it might be a good idea to speak to your doctor if you think you might have a sleep disorder.

Source: Mayo Clinic

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