This article was co-authored by Alex Dimitriu, MD and by How.com.vn staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Alex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.
There are 24 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 743,038 times.
If you’re on the night shift or find yourself swamped with important tasks, you might need to stay up late to get your work done. Staying alert and diligent during the dark hours can be difficult, since it goes against your body’s natural circadian rhythm.[1] Fortunately, when you start to doze off, there are plenty of methods to stay awake other than guzzling unhealthy energy drinks! From preparation strategies to tips for counteracting sleepiness, we’ve compiled the best ways to keep you energized after the sun goes down.
Steps
How.com.vn Quiz: Why Can't I Sleep?
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow do you survive an all-nighter?Alex Dimitriu, MDAlex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.
Sleep SpecialistTry combining caffeine with a power nap for an even bigger energy boost. Drink a cup of coffee, then immediately take a 45-minute nap. When you wake up, the coffee will start kicking in and you'll feel extra rested. - QuestionHow can I stay awake at night to study?Alex Dimitriu, MDAlex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.
Sleep SpecialistBeing bored can make you feel more tired. Switching tasks and moving around will keep you more stimulated and awake.
Reader Videos
Tips
- Stay away from any sleep-related objects or locations. Your brain likely associates your bed with sleep, so don’t do your work there![25]Thanks
- Be sure to let the people you live with know how late you intend to stay up. Be courteous about making noise and leaving lights on while others are trying to sleep.Thanks
Warnings
- If you’re trying to stay awake while driving, it’s better to pull over or switch drivers. Drowsy driving impairs reaction time, inhibits decision-making, and results in thousands of accidents every year.[26]Thanks
- If you're staying up all night to study for a test, remember that getting enough sleep is actually more beneficial to doing well in the class than cramming your head with facts for the whole night. When you stay up late, your brain operates in short-term, not long-term memory, making it hard to retain anything![27]Thanks
- Don’t stay awake at night frequently! You can delay your circadian rhythm and change your biological clock to restart later and later. That may lead to a prolonged change in your sleeping schedule.[28]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/shift-work-disorder/tips/staying-awake
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627307005004
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/music-and-sleep
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise-intensity/art-20046887
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-faqs/how-to-stay-awake
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30951762/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyestrain/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372403
- ↑ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/computer-usage
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-electronics-affect-sleep
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2869.2004.00425.x
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-the-ideal-sleeping-temperature-for-my-bedroom/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5136610/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372
- ↑ http://sleepeducation.org/news/2013/08/01/sleep-and-caffeine
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223808/
- ↑ http://sleepeducation.org/news/2013/08/01/sleep-and-caffeine
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/energy-drinks/
- ↑ https://www.salemhealth.org/services/sleep/good-sleep-habits/how-to-stay-awake-naturally
- ↑ https://www.salemhealth.org/services/sleep/good-sleep-habits/how-to-stay-awake-naturally
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/napping/art-20048319
- ↑ https://www.salemhealth.org/services/sleep/good-sleep-habits/how-to-stay-awake-naturally
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/connection-between-hydration-and-sleep
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dangers-of-too-much-alcohol-summer-heat
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/getting-better-sleep.htm
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/drowsy-driving.html
- ↑ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160919162837.htm
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12115-circadian-rhythm-disorders
About This Article
To stay awake at night, try drinking coffee or other beverages containing caffein at regular intervals. Additionally, turn on a fan or open the windows to cool the room down, since you’re more likely to sleep if it’s warm. You should also get up and move around from time to time to get your blood flowing and stay alert. If you notice yourself getting drowsy, try switching to a different task that requires you to pay more attention. Alternatively, eat a healthy snack like yogurt or granola to boost your blood sugar levels, because low blood sugar can make you tired. To learn more, including when to take a nap during the day, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "Petting exercise really helps you out! I went longboard downhill and it gave me adrenaline. I also went to Walmart to get some snacks. Be prepared for 4 to 5 AM, because that is the worst time!"..." more
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.