how to keep yourself awake at night

While sugar can give you an immediate burst of energy, it very quickly wears off, leaving you more fatigued and foggy than you were before. I had a sleepover and it was easy. Part 3. To learn more, including when to take a nap during the day, read on! If you know you're going to be up all night, then grab a nap in the afternoon. They also contain guarana, an ingredient that also contains caffeine, which makes the total amount of caffeine higher than it appears. Keeping bottled water in the fridge or a tumbler or thermos handy is a must. So, let us discuss some alternative easy ways to stay awake naturally which can help you burn the candle at both ends. The first thing you do when you wake up is opening your eyes, so your visual stimulation is very important to keeping your energy level high. Darkness cues your body to release melatonin, a hormone that makes you feel sleepy. A half hour nap is good for jump-starting your system. This may change your sleeping pattern permanently if done on a regular basis. If you plan on drinking a cup of coffee every few hours, you'll keep pretty awake and energized. Tips for keeping yourself awake. Will smacking my face lightly keep me awake? Alex Dimitriu, MD. Either sleep a little longer each night before your late night or grab an afternoon nap that day. When you wake up, the coffee will start kicking in and you'll feel extra rested. If I need to study, but I also want to sleep, what should I do? Sleep deprivation can impact your ability to learn and focus. Everything to Know About Your Circadian Rhythm, Can’t Get Shut-Eye? In 2013, there were at least 72,000 car accidents caused by drowsy driving. A heavy meal is counterproductive when trying to stay awake all night. Your circadian rhythms are like internal clocks affecting the way you think, feel, and behave throughout the day. They’re especially dangerous when mixed with drugs or alcohol. Instead of staying up late, go to bed early so you can get up early and study. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. to get some snacks. Drowsy driving is a major safety hazard in the U.S. An hour and a half nap can help make up for lost sleep, in that you usually get through one sleep cycle in that amount of time so it can help you feel less sleepy, especially if you've been pulling a lot of all-nighters. Studies have found that moderate doses of caffeine (600 milligrams [mg] or more than four cups of coffee) can improve your ability to think and perform tasks, but high doses (900 mg or more) have the opposite effect. Luckily, I managed to pass the, "I had to type this huge essay for school and it was way past midnight because I had gone on a trip earlier. The Ferber Method: Does Crying It Out Really Work? "One can bank sleep," Drake said. Do you ever wish that you had more time to do the things that are important, but there just aren't enough hours in the day? Thankfully there are ways to stay awake at night if you can't stay up past 10 p.m., but have to. Caffeine can also reduce your sleep time, alter the normal stages of sleep, and decrease the quality of … Although this will lower the effects of the cold shower, this may help keep you awake enough to not resort to that step. Your brain can be very productive around 5 a.m. Is making the atmosphere cool inside my room a good idea? Staring at your computer screen for hours and hours on end can cause eyestrain and make your sleepiness and fatigue worse. Try to catch 15 to 20 minutes of sleep during a break. Consider using an eye mask or blackout shades, wearing earplugs, or utilizing a white noise machine. Relax your eyes for a few minutes each hour, either by closing them or looking at something else for a while. Other times, poor sleep quality during the night can cause someone to drift off in the middle of the day as their bodies try to catch up on some missed zzz’s. Don't perform this too often, as it may cause sleepiness because of the darkness. Try to make up the sleep the next day. Listen to some loud/upbeat music for a while. Me and my brother are going to do an all-nighter, so this helped me a lot. Taking a series of small naps throughout the night may help you stay alert. Play some heavy metal music loudly through your earphones. Optimize your sleep environment: keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Therefore, it may stop you from being able to stay awake all night. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Staying up all night means fighting this natural process, which is not only difficult, but also unhealthy. If you don’t want to shower, splashing your face with cold water can help. That’s because your body produces a lot of energy when you exercise, which can keep you awake. The best temperature range for sleeping can vary by person. 1. Stimulate your senses. Your circadian rhythm plays a large role in your sleep-wake cycle, telling your body when it's time to sleep and wake up for the day. If you start to fall asleep, pinch yourself. We’ll review all the potential causes…, Today, sleep-deprived couples say they'd be willing to file for a “sleep divorce” — opting to catch their nightly Zzz’s apart from one another, all in…, Jet lag, pulling an all-nighter, and shift work can all mess up your sleep schedule, and it can be hard to get on track. Caffeinate in small doses throughout the night. How to Stay Up All Night 1. Most studies on night-shift workers find that naps reduce sleepiness and improve performance. These will keep you awake and not cause you any pain. Take breaks from your computer screen. When you start to feel sleepy (like the feeling you have when waking up), close your eyes and shut your eyelids tightly for 30 to 45 seconds. Nap before the night shift Taking a nap either in the afternoon that day or right before your night shift can go a long way. Part 4. Here’s the truth about crying it out, Richard Ferber’s popular sleep training program for older infants and toddlers. Your circadian rhythms still rely on light cues, so make sure you’re sleeping in a very dark room during the day. What if I only want to stay up an hour longer. After staying up all night, you’ll feel very drowsy. References Caffeine is a helpful pick-me-up and can increase your alertness. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Keep scented candles or an essential oil diffuser at your desk. One study found that using bright lights at night and creating darkness during the day can help night-shift workers reset their circadian rhythms. The 5 surprising ways you can stop feeling financially trapped. Avoid sugar. Good night, sleep tight! Fatigue and tiredness could be warning signs of a sleep disorder. To keep yourself awake, use a device that you can interact with. The trick is to focus on sports bar foods such as fries, mozzarella sticks, and potato chips. Additionally, turn on a fan or open the windows to cool the room down, since you’re more likely to sleep if it’s warm. You will want to make sure that you don't sleep for too long and that you don't nap too close to when you would normally go to bed (try to take the nap 6 or 7 hours before your usual bedtime). In 2011, more than 20,000 people went to the emergency room because of energy drinks. Also, drinking water can help increase the oxygenation of your blood level that may increase alertness and help you stay awake more easily during a long night shift. 2.Keep Your Mind Stimulated Night shifts can sometimes have periods of downtime. Practice. And when you do them right, they won’t make it harder to hit the hay at bedtime. Instead of staying on your computer, do some exercise or read a book. ", http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/how-to-stay-awake-after-all-nighter?page=2, https://www.scienceofpeople.com/how-long-to-nap/, https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/Pages/Factsheet_CircadianRhythms.aspx, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/connection-between-hydration-and-sleep, https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/ss/slideshow-fatigue-causes-and-remedies, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321674.php, https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/how-to-stay-awake-after-all-nighter#2, https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/cant-sleep-adjust-the-temperature#1, http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/natural-tips-sleepiness?page=3, http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/natural-tips-sleepiness?page=2, https://www.sleep.org/articles/snacks-that-keep-you-awake/, http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/how/external-factors, повысить работоспособность в ночное время, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Maximize your exposure to light. Caffeine is a helpful pick-me-up and can increase your alertness. Consider your usual night’s sleep: do you sleep like a rock, or do you wake up throughout the night? You should also get up and move around from time to time to get your blood flowing and stay alert. You can also apply cold compresses to your head and wrists. I have pulled my fair share of guard duty and below is a list of some of the best tips and techniques I have used to remain focused and awake. You can make your room colder by opening the window. If you go too much under that you won't get enough sleep to help. Aim for 7 – 8 hours of sleep every night. Thanks so much for posting this. Junk food usually has a lot of sugar, which gives you a brief mental boost but ultimately ends up causing you to "crash." wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. If you don’t want to exercise, try getting up and moving around. Eat things like yogurt and granola with fresh fruit, or peanut butter on a whole wheat cracker and celery. The java jolt that helps you stay awake can take up to eight hours to wear off. “Once you turn on a light, it suppresses melatonin and tells your brain, ‘It’s morning, let’s go!’” Dr. Rawls says. ", "I think this will really help me as my exams are near and I have to stay awake late at night! Keep your body moving when possible. Healthy food won't give you the same crash, so you might have an easier time staying awake. Maybe you have a new job working night shifts, it’s finals week, or you’re having a sleepover party. Learn how to know if you have a sleep disorder like insomnia or sleep apnea. On average, most people sleep best between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 and 22.2 degrees Celsius). ", test in spite of starting the preparation this late! In 2017 alone, the National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates roughly 91,000 vehicle accidents – and nearly 800 fatalities – were attributed to crashes involving drowsy driving. You may try to snap yourself awake by splashing cold water on your face or opening a window or making the room a bit cooler. Try combining caffeine with a power nap for an even bigger energy boost. How do I stay up without waking up my family? When using energy drinks, it’s difficult to know exactly how much caffeine you’re ingesting, and extremely high doses of caffeine can be toxic. ", "This helped me a lot. Try to engage in many different activities. Unless you are used to this amount of sleep, do not plan on doing this before a large test or important event. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Avoid it either by spacing out coffee drinks or by utilizing other staying awake methods. Be prepared for the consequences the following day. Your body’s internal rhythm is regulated by the amount of light you receive. Anxiety, stress, and overstimulation are just some of the factors that can cause tossing and turning at night. This can take up to one week, but it’s possible. [1] X Research source A half hour nap is good for jump-starting your system. Illuminate the room brightly. Instead, try taking several smaller doses throughout the night such as espresso shots, caffeine pills, or caffeinated gum. Don't overdo it, as it causes stress! ", "I learned the right way to be awake at night, and this helped me to excel in my exams. It is common for people to overshoot, and get too tired to finish their work for the night. One of easy and natural ways to stay awake is to keep away from dim lighting. Learning how to keep yourself awake following a night of lost sleep, requires you to learn which of the following methods your body best responds to. Eat Well (And Don't Binge On Sugar!) Drink a cup of coffee, then immediately take a 45-minute nap. ", helped me prepare for future incidents. Rarely should you find yourself dozing off while going for a walk, cleaning the house, or running errands, unless you have narcolepsy. But, there are ways to fix…. ", "This did help, my friend and I were trying to stay up. Stimulating Your Senses. If you notice yourself getting drowsy, try switching to a different task that requires you to pay more attention. Switching tasks and moving around will keep you more stimulated and awake. You'll want protein, healthy carbs (like oats), and lots of fruits and veggies. For many drivers who cause these accidents, lack of sleep is a major factor. To ensure another energised 9-to-5, prioritise sleep and keep a regular sleep-wake schedule. Thanks! Brushing your teeth can make you feel refreshed. Will a heavy dinner stop me from being able to stay awake all night? Adding a brighter light bulb to the desk or opening extra windows to let light in may do the trick. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 669,211 times. This disorder slows and/or stops your breathing while you are asleep. Take a bath with cold water and have some ice cream. No. When you are feeling sleepy, a breath of fresh air might be something you need to feel more alert. ", "Well I did what some of them asked me to, and it works! Leave your bedroom, and don't get too comfortable! You could try secretly using a flashlight so that you can still have light but hopefully won't get in trouble. Hydrate Yourself how to keep yourself awake doing homework Properly How to stay awake while doing homework at night Neona March 09, 2 helpful 2, and get up all night of sleep at night. Try playing video games on your computer or tablet. If you’re trying to stay up all night, try 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Stay-Awake-at-Night-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Stay-Awake-at-Night-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Stay-Awake-at-Night-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid617518-v4-728px-Stay-Awake-at-Night-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"