People that drive without using their blinker. And having to leave the room in order to remember. Walking into a room and then automatically forgetting why you went in there. Maybe if I walk away and come back it will work. Continuing to open and reopen the fridge until the food that you want magically makes its way in there. Sure, next time I'll just hand you my money and you can toss it directly into the garbage! 10. When your teacher makes you buy a textbook that you never even crack open. That one aunt/uncle that just always gives you that creepy vibe. “And that’s really going to effect your performance, athletically, physically and mentally.8. “People are just staying up too late, they get up to the alarm clock every day and by Friday they are down as many as 10 hours of sleep,” Andrews says. You might need to seriously commit to getting more shut-eye. RELATED: The Hidden Ways Sleep Deprivation Can Lead to Weight Gain “All of these things we’ve talked about are really to combat problems with psychological alertness, but none can overcome chronic sleep deprivation,” she notes. Simply can’t wake up? You’re probably sleep deprived, Andrews says. RELATED: How to Stop Food Cravings in 10 Minutes or Less But What If You Still Want Coffee? “Something as simple as putting a mint in your mouth can be enough to counteract that zombie-like feeling you get late in the afternoon, once again, just having sensory stimulation,” Andrews says. “Your blood glucose will reach its lowest point about three hours after a meal, so you can imagine that time period is a collision of effects for many people,” Andrews says.īefore you reach for a cupcake, consider your alternatives. If you’re like most people, you know the afternoon can be a danger zone for snacking. RELATED: The Easiest 5K and 10K Training Plan Ever (Walking Allowed) “You probably only need brief physical activity to break that effect of sitting still and focusing,” Andrews says “Certainly getting outside and raising your heart rate a little more and exposing yourself to sunlight can even be more effective for some people in terms of improving alertness.” Some research indicates exposure to light can improve mental awareness, Andrews adds.Īnd even if you only have a few minutes, that could be enough. Sure, taking a stroll around your office will probably help you shake the urge to snooze, but hitting the streets is even better. RELATED: 10 Ways to Stay Hydrated (That Aren’t Water) Pausing to down a glass of water might be just the wake-up call you need. “One of the main systems that feels the effects is blood volume, and when blood volume is decreased you may be getting reduced blood flow and nutrients to the brain,” Andrews says. “People get up to the alarm clock every day and by Friday they are down as many as 10 hours of sleep.”īeing dehydrated can actually affect the way blood moves to your brain. “I think that dehydration probably is under-appreciated, particularly for people who are regular about exercise,” Andrews says. If you’re working out nearly every day, it might not just by muscle fatigue that’s slowing you down. “Switching your focus to any kind of other activity, be it visual or another stimulatory activity that you find pleasurable, will be enough to improve alertness,” Andrews says. If you’re addicted to Candy Crush, playing for a few minutes can help perk you up, too. VIDEO: Why ‘Fat’ Stereotypes Are So Wrong “Changing your focus for a few moments, engaging in something pleasurable - even if it’s a mental activity - can break that mesmerization,” she says. That’s because tuning in to something entertaining helps you lose that zoned-out feeling you get when you’ve been staring at your computer screen for too long, Andrews says. Pausing your day to watch a bunch of kids do the Whip/Nae Nae could actually make you feel more alert (plus…it’s amazing). Rather than give in to your cold brew cravings, try these easy mental tricks next time you’re nodding off in front of an Excel spreadsheet. Hatos Endowed Chair in Clinical Neuropharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of increasing blood flow to the brain and to the body,” says Anne Milasincic Andrews, Ph.D., the Shirley M. Whether you’re sleep deprived, experiencing low blood sugar or simply need a break from your computer, there are many ways to rev your energy in less time than it will take you to get to the nearest Starbucks. RELATED: 6 Signs That You’re Exhausted (Not Just Tired) In fact, that late afternoon cup might keep you up at night, leaving you in the same place this time tomorrow. While your first instinct might be to caffeinate ASAP, you might get away with doing (and spending) less. You’re staring aimlessly at your computer screen, as your eyelids hang heavy and your brain feels sluggish. It’s the middle of the workday and you’ve officially entered zombie mode.
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