Career Advice
May 26, 2022

7 Ways to Stay Alert at Work

7 Ways to Stay Alert at Work

7 Ways to Stay Alert at Work

We all know what it's like to feel sleepy at work. Sometimes it's hard to focus on the task at hand when all you can think about is taking a nap.

If your job isn't one that allows for a lot of downtime, you may find yourself struggling to stay awake.

However, there are some things you can do to help yourself feel more alert and productive.

Here are the top 7 ways to stay alert at work.

Importance of staying awake

It's important to stay awake and alert at work for a number of reasons.

For one, if you're in a position that requires a lot of concentration, being sleepy can be dangerous.

You could make mistakes that could cost someone their life, or your own.

Also, if you're dozing off all the time, your boss is going to notice, and it'll reflect poorly on you.

Another good reason to stay awake is for your own health.

If you're constantly exhausted, it takes a toll on your body and can lead to other health problems down the road.

So, it's important to find ways to stay awake during work hours.

Poor habits that affect your productivity

If you want to be productive, it's important to be aware of the poor habits that can impact your work.

For instance, sitting for long periods of time is very bad for your health and productivity. If you sit for too long, your body will start to feel sluggish, and it will be harder to focus on your work.

Make sure to take breaks every 20-30 minutes to walk around and get your blood flowing.

Skipping meals is another habit that could be bad for you. It's important to eat breakfast in the morning so that you have sustained energy throughout the day.

Then, distractions like social media, personal phone calls, and online shopping can all impact your productivity.

When you're trying to focus on your work, it's important to limit these distractions as much as possible.

If you need help staying focused, there are a number of apps and websites that can block distracting websites for a set period of time.

Finally, another poor habit that can affect your productivity is working too late into the night.

Try to avoid working late into the evening or overnight if possible.

Ways to stay awake at work

There are several things you can do to help yourself stay awake at work.

1: Get enough sleep

This one seems obvious, but it's worth repeating. If you're not getting enough sleep at night, you're going to have a hard time staying awake during the day.

A bad sleeping schedule can affect your life in many ways. For instance, you're more likely to get sick, you won't be able to concentrate as well, and you'll have a harder time controlling your emotions.

So, if you're having trouble staying awake at work, the first thing you should do is assess your sleep habits.

Are you getting enough rest? Are you going to bed and waking up at the same time every day?

If not, try to make some changes to help yourself get on a better sleep schedule.

Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

If you can, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.

This will help your body get into a better sleep rhythm and make it easier for you to stay asleep through the night.

When going to sleep, make sure to ditch the phones, TVs, and other screens. The blue light from these devices can disrupt your sleep cycle and make it harder to fall asleep.

Instead, try reading a book or taking a bath to help yourself relax before bed.

2: Get up and move around

If you're finding yourself getting sleepy at work, one of the best things you can do is get up and move around.

Take a walk, do some stretches, or just get up and pace around your office.

This will help increase your heart rate and give you a much-needed energy boost.

You should also try to take breaks every 20 minutes or so to give your mind a break from whatever task you're working on.

During these breaks, you can get up and move around or do something completely different like read or listen to music.

This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed, which can lead to fatigue.

Exercise is also a great way to stay awake during the day.

If you have time, try going for a run or working out at lunchtime.

Not only will this help wake you up, but it'll also give you more energy to get through the rest of the day.

3: Update your workspace

If you're finding it hard to stay awake at work, take a look at your workspace and see if there are any changes you can make.

First, try to make sure that your workspace is well-lit.

If possible, open up the blinds or sit near a window to get some natural light.

You can also try investing in a desk lamp to help brighten up your space.

Second, take a look at the temperature of your workspace.

If it's too hot or too cold, it can make you feel sleepy. So, adjust the temperature accordingly until you find a comfortable setting.

Finally, try to add some personal touches to your workspace to make it more inviting.

If you're about to expand your team, before looking into top staffing agencies, make sure to prepare the office space for the perfect potential candidate.

4: Drink lots of water and avoid caffeine

It's important to drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and alert.

Caffeine is also a helpful way to stay awake as it is a stimulant. However, you should avoid drinking too much as it can make you feel jittery and anxious.

A good rule of thumb is to drink one cup of coffee in the morning and then switch to water for the rest of the day.

Dehydration can cause a number of problems that make it hard to stay awake and focused.

For instance, dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. It can also make you feel more tired than usual. So, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

5: Eat healthy snacks

When you're trying to stay awake at work, it's important to eat healthy snacks that will give you sustained energy throughout the day.

Avoid sugary snacks like candy bars or pastries as they will only give you a quick sugar high that will quickly be followed by an energy crash.

Instead, try snacking on fruits, nuts, or whole-grain crackers. These types of snacks will help keep your blood sugar levels stable and give you the sustained energy you need to get through the day.

Chewing gum is also a great way to stay awake and alert.

The act of chewing gum can help increase blood flow to the brain, which can help you feel more awake.

And, if you're looking for a little extra energy, try chewing gum that contains caffeine.

6: Listen to music

If you're finding it hard to stay focused at work, try listening to music.

Studies have shown that listening to music can help increase productivity and focus.

Next time you feel like dozing off, put on your headphones and find a playlist that helps you concentrate.

Just make sure to choose music that is not too distracting or disruptive to those around you.

You can take some time and create a work playlist. This way, you'll always have a go-to list of songs that help you focus when you need it.

Make sure to include songs with a variety of tempos to help keep you engaged throughout the day.

7: Stay motivated

If you're struggling to stay awake at work, it's important to find ways to stay motivated.

One way to do this is by setting small goals for yourself throughout the day.

This can help you stay focused on what you need to do and give you a sense of accomplishment as you check tasks off your list.

You can also try breaking up your work into smaller chunks. This can make it feel less daunting and help you focus on one task at a time.

Keeping motivational quotes or posters around your workspace can also help you stay focused and motivated.

Whenever you start to feel sleepy, take a look at the quotes and remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing.

Finally, try to find a work buddy who can help keep you accountable and motivated throughout the day.

Pairing up with someone else can make working more fun and help the time go by faster.

Conclusion

Failing to concentrate on the job can be frustrating, not to mention unprofessional.

By following the tips above, you can learn how to stay alert at work and be more productive.

Next time you're struggling to stay awake, try out some of these tips and see how they work for you.