How to Alleviate Sleepiness (better) [Lessons from 2021]

-water alleviates tiredness more than caffeine

-a walk helps get rid of sleepiness

Sounds like something some health-nut would tell you.  Believe me, despite all the things I’ve listed here that may seem extreme–I am not really healthy, and it’s NOT my focus. It’s just that little repeated efforts really do add up.

I live in a desert so water is crucial. The air is dry, and it gets pretty hot. Plus any exercise, sweating, sugar, salt, caffeine further depletes hydration. So I always try to drink water throughout the day. And it is true-being hydrated feels like having more energy.  Caffeine just made me jittery or more irritable.  Water, I’m talking a LOT of extra water, does help.  But like, a lot.  Like 30 cups by lunch.  And you actually legitimately feel better. 

I suggest working up to it. And I’m telling you getting 4 cups a day is the biggest hurdle when you haven’t really been mindful. Because drinking extra will make you pee extra. And you just don’t feel thirsty. I know. But if you can just make a habit of getting 4 cups of water in the earliest possible in the day–any above and beyond that are really not a big deal. I don’t know why. I don’t make the rules.

Also, aside from water, taking vitamin B helps energy. That’s why they put so much of it in energy drinks. And vitamin B without all the caffeine won’t dehydrate you, which actually makes you feel more tired (think hangovers). So vit B in the morning, and at that afternoon slump. Best part about that, it’s not going to keep you up all night like a late coffee/tea might.

Another thing that helped us feel less tired is another counterintuitive thing. Walking on lunch and after work.  It was way more helpful than sitting, which actually made us feel more tired.  So get that heart rate up next time you’re sleepy and wishing for a nap during the work day!

And you know what I found out makes me most tired of all?  Living in an extrovert’s world.  I used to be exhausted on most work days when we had to go to the building (vs. working from home).  Just the anxiety of second-guessing every facial expression, how fast I was walking, each interaction was tiring.  Now that I’m at home working after work I just feel normal.  I don’t get tired for several more hours.

I’m still working on energy though. I’m often very tired and dragging a$$, so any other tips would be helpful.