Tips To Survive Sleepiness at Work

 

Lack of sleep, poor sleeping patterns, irregular eating habits, lack of physical activity, and stress are among of many reasons;why we feel sleepy during working hours. For some, it is very easy to give in but the thought of having too much of unfinished work holds us back. Here are some immediate tips to stay awake throughout your day.

1) Take a nap

Of course, taking a nap is the best thing to do when you’re feeling sleepy. However, not everyone has the advantage to do so. Most of the companies do not allocate time for their employees to take naps. So, choose your time and place wisely for when and where to take the nap.

Taking naps at your desk might be quite uncomfortable but here at Colony, we have a nap room for you to use comfortably. All you need to do is ask for the access card of the nap room from the concierge.

Remember to limit your nap to 45 minutes or less if you need to go back into action right after your doze and if taking a nap could not be your option, don’t worry, there are more ways to survive the sleepiness. Just head to the next tip.

2) Take a Break and Get Moving

Step away from your computer for a while and go for short walks. Get some fresh air while you are at it. Doing some stretching could be a good idea too as it will help to pump more blood to your brain and increase your heart rate. This will help you feel more alert and refreshed; brushing off all the drowsiness. Here are some moves that you could practice while at work.

You could always opt for a good workout. Just make sure that you get the permission to do that from your employer. Colony @ KLCC has a rooftop swimming pool and the gym membership is flexible. Need a short-term gym membership? Just drop by the concierge to sign up.

3) Switch up your tasks

Consider switching up your tasks as a way to survive the sleepiness. Doing the same thing for few hours straight could be the reason you getting sleepy. As a result, when you switch to a new task, your brain will be introduced to new stimuli which will then help your brain to stay awake.

4) Give Your Eyes a Break to Avoid Fatigue

Too much of screen time could get you eye strains. If you have symptoms like eye fatigue, dry eye, irritated or itchy eyes, red eyes, and headaches, then you probably take a break from your screen. According to Webmd, “resting quietly with your eyes closed for 10 minutes or so will help,” as stated by Allison T. Siebern, PhD, a fellow at the Stanford University Sleep Medicine Center in Redwood City, Calif. You can follow the steps suggested by optometrists Gary Heiding and Larry Wan for some reliefs here.

5) Drink your water

It is very important to stay hydrated because dehydration can cause headaches, chronic fatigue and it could even destroy your attention span. Just plain old water will do or you could go for fresh fruits for varieties to keep yourself hydrated. Most fruits are made up of a surprising amount of water. For example, Strawberries and Bananas are 92% and 74% water, respectively.

6) Eat a Healthy Snack to Boost Energy

“Snacking keeps your metabolism revved up and is a great way to boost your energy,” says Tara Gidus, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. The list of healthy snacks are endless. You could snack on fresh fruits, peanut butter, nuts or cereals. You can find more list of healthy snacks here.

We have recently upgraded our vending machine at KLCC based on guest feedback.

7) Coffee break

When nothing works, getting a cup or two of caffeine won’t hurt. Caffeine can help boosting one’s alertness if taken moderately. So, go get your coffee or Red Bull to awaken your senses. For those based in KLCC, claim a free dessert from Bucolic when you order a main dish every Thursday and Friday. If you’re based in Eco City, grab a slice of cake and a cup of coffee at only RM10 at Embassy, on Thursday and Friday from 3 to 6pm.

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Written by Hafizah for Colony