It’s a great morning, but sometimes our bodies haven’t gotten the memo. We’re awake, the day has started, yet part of us still wants to stay in sleep mode.
There is no literal “energy cheat code,” but when we’re sleepy and need to get moving, a few simple things may help us feel more alert.
Here are a few things we can try:
• Get some bright light. We can step outside or spend a few minutes near a bright window. Light helps signal to our brains that it’s time to be awake.
• Move for 2–5 minutes. We can walk briskly, climb some stairs, do a few squats, or simply move our arms and legs. A short burst of activity can help us feel more alert.
• Drink some water. Cool or cold water may feel more refreshing, but temperature isn’t the important part. Drinking water may help if dehydration is contributing to our tiredness.
• Splash our face with cool water. Cool water on the face may briefly help us feel more awake.
• Have coffee or tea if caffeine works well for us. Caffeine can improve alertness, but it doesn’t work instantly. We may begin feeling its effects within about 15–45 minutes.
But during the day, when sleepiness suddenly hits, another option is the coffee nap: drink some coffee, then immediately take a short nap of around 15–20 minutes. The short nap gives us some rest while the caffeine begins to take effect. Two small boosts arriving almost on the same beat.
But there’s an important distinction: sleepiness, fatigue, and lack of motivation are not the same thing.
These tips are mainly for ordinary sleepiness. Persistent or unexplained fatigue can have many causes, and caffeine or other quick fixes aren’t a substitute for finding out what’s causing it.
And if we’re fully awake but simply can’t get ourselves to start, more stimulation may not be what we need. Sometimes our bodies have energy, but our minds still need ignition.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ