Stay Alert
Staying alert is a battle many people fight on a daily basis. With too little sleep and too much multi-tasking, it's often hard to stay alert throughout the day. Gradual, minor lifestyle shifts can help you remain alert and promote good health. There are also quick fixes to get you through the day when you didn't get your 8 hours of sleep.
Instructions
1. Sleep enough hours to wake up feeling refreshed. Most people require approximately 8 hours of sleep a night to repair the stress of the previous day.
2. Exercise and stay physically active throughout the day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator to your apartment or office. Walk around the block when you start to feel drowsy. A little activity can go a long way in returning you to alertness.
3. Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs to fuel you throughout the day. Start by eating breakfast within an hour of waking up. Choose grains, fruits and vegetables over fried foods and fatty pastries. Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water and take vitamins.
4. Get caffeine into your system. Coffee, tea and cola can provide a boost in alertness by keeping a chemical called adenosine at bay in your brain. Adenosine causes feelings of drowsiness and is blocked by caffeine. Consider caffeinated water or caffeine pills if you don't like the traditional caffeinated beverages.
5. Stimulate yourself with loud music, engaging television or by varying your activities every few hours. Switching mental gears regularly can keep your mind active and combat drowsiness until you have an appropriate time to rest.
Tags: hours sleep, Stay Alert