Photo by lunchtimemama
I’ve been in one too many situations where I’ve had to sit still and listen to someone talk for an extended period of time. Whether it’s a teacher lecturing, a sermon, a speech by a politician or a boss in staff meeting, we’ve all been forced to sit still and listen. So what do you do when sleep overwhelms you, your eyelids get heavy, and your head starts to bob?! It’s a difficult battle so here are some suggestions for staying awake:
- Try to subtly move a part of your body – wiggle your foot, bounce your legs or twiddle your thumbs (probably under the table and out of sight).
- Sip on a glass of cold water or a caffeinated drink.
- Get up and go to the bathroom. Walking around will get your heart pumping and wake you up a bit. Splash some water on your face if necessary.
- Engage your brain. Force yourself to take detailed notes, do math problems or quietly work on something else for a couple minutes until you’ve shaken the exhaustion. If your brain has to concentrate it will be less likely to relax.
- Stay cool. Take off a layer of clothing if you can. It’s easy to nod off when you’re too warm and comfortable.
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