What do you do when you are feeling sleepy at work?

Question

I am at the moment. I have taken a few breaks from my computer to keep awake but there are only so many breaks you can take when your boss sits right in front of you!

I'm pregnant so I can't really take a lot of caffeine. Fizzy drinks just give me gas so they are no good, some interesting answers, keep them coming!

Answer 1

Eating an apple will wake you up. it works for me. I hear ya, when pregnant I was verrrry sleepy all the time. It's a normal part of the process. Now go chow on an apple. Best of luck to you and the baby, too!

Answer 2

You should look into purchasing a SoLux Light Fixture from Tailored Lighting, Inc. Their website is www.solux.net.

Daylight or Natural light is an important yet over looked part of a healthy lifestyle program. Changes in your hormone balance occur without enough exposure to natural light. The disrupted hormone balance can lead to a lethargic and depressive mood. The symptoms associated with a lack of natural light are more problematic in the winter when so much time is spent indoors and outdoors time is spent all covered-up with clothes and sunglasses. The type of weather your area experiences, cloudy days vs. sunny days, also has an impact on your total natural light exposure.

Daylight promotes hormonal equilibrium. Your brain needs a certain amount of natural light each and every day. When natural light hits your retina, it is transmitted to an area of your brain called the pineal body. The pineal is the brain’s center for the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates daily body rhythms, most notably the day/night cycle (circadian rhythms). Normal melatonin levels are important for natural sleep cycles and proper immune system function.

SoLux is the only light source in the world that reproduces accurately and precisely the daylight spectrum. To obtain a level of natural daylight exposure equivalent to that of a 10-minute summertime stroll, all you need to do is work under a SoLux light for an hour and a half. Achieving this is easier that you think. Most of us work at our desks for 8-10 hours a day. With Tailored Lighting desk lamps providing SoLux daylight, your brain will think you have been outdoors all day long.

Answer 3

One get more sleep at night. When you go on break take a walk out side the fresh air always does good. I personaly when I start feeling slughish at work I walk the outside of my building (I am a smoker also but dont start) Ill go get a glass of water and sit on the patio for a few minutes. The boss aught to appriciate giving you a break becuase it will up the production of work that your doing 10-15 minutes should do ever 4-5 hours and a health lunch also.

Answer 4

Water. H2O contains oxygen which is great to rejuvenate the brain. Try some brain gym activities.

The following might help you too:




Drink Water
As Carla Hannaford says, "Water comprises more of the brain (with estimates of 90%) than of any other organ of the body." Having students drink some water before and during class can help "grease the wheel". Drinking water is very important before any stressful situation - tests! - as we tend to perspire under stress, and de-hydration can effect our concentration negatively.


"Brain Buttons"
This exercise helps improve blood flow to the brain to "switch on" the entire brain before a lesson begins. The increased blood flow helps improve concentration skills required for reading, writing, etc.


Put one hand so that there is as wide a space as possible between the thumb and index finger.
Place your index and thumb into the slight indentations below the collar bone on each side of the sternum. Press lightly in a pulsing manner.
At the same time put the other hand over the navel area of the stomach. Gently press on these points for about 2 minutes.

"Cross Crawl"
This exercise helps coordinate right and left brain by exercising the information flow between the two hemispheres. It is useful for spelling, writing, listening, reading and comprehension.


Stand or sit. Put the right hand across the body to the left knee as you raise it, and then do the same thing for the left hand on the right knee just as if you were marching.
Just do this either sitting or standing for about 2 minutes.

"Hook Ups"
This works well for nerves before a test or special event such as making a speech. Any situation which will cause nervousness calls for a few "hook ups" to calm the mind and improve concentration.


Stand or sit. Cross the right leg over the left at the ankles.
Take your right wrist and cross it over the left wrist and link up the fingers so that the right wrist is on top.
Bend the elbows out and gently turn the fingers in towards the body until they rest on the sternum (breast bone) in the center of the chest. Stay in this position.
Keep the ankles crossed and the wrists crossed and then breathe evenly in this position for a few minutes. You will be noticeably calmer after that time.

Answer 5

LOL.....been there! Can you get something to drink with caffeine in it? Or sugar? Stand up. That is a sure way to wake up. Take a deep breath. Excuse yourself and walk to the Ladies Room. Just a little stroll and change of scenery can really help keep you awake. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Watch what you eat for lunch. Don't over eat since it may make you sleepy. Leave the sweets alone since after the sugar high wears off, you'll become drowsy. Also, try munching on some apples. During your lunch...take a brisk walk. You can always take an herbal supplement for energy. Most health food stores and pharmacies carry them. I take Blast which is put out by Bally's Fitness Clubs. You can order it through Amazon.com.

Answer 7

Fall off the chair in front of your boss (on purpose of course and watch you don't hurt yourself) then tell your boss that you don't know what's happening but you really feel faint. Ask him to let you just stay horizontal on the floor for a while until it goes away. Have a kip then get up later and say that you feel better. You never know your boss may send you home then you can have a proper kip.

Answer 8

Usually a soft drink or a cup of coffee would do the trick for me. If it didn't I would take a really long bathroom break to doze for a few minutes.

Answer 9

all these seem calorie add up... i think a mild walk around your IT office or nearby road shoulld do no harm (other than googling y v feel sleepy) at normal circumstances... and for sleep folks like me it takes lot of time to get used to b awake the hours but few hrs of sleep at aftnoon in weekends to spoil the whole efforts....

Answer 10

Go to the toilet and splash some cool water on your face. Get up go outside for something or go to the toilets and have a stretch. Turn the heating off and give yourself a good shake - usually works for me. Oh and get to your bed early at night.