Beat Sleepiness While Studying With Simple Tips
Feeling sleepy while studying is something commonly experienced, especially by students. Be it school or college students, most of them may start yawning at the sight of the textbook. This is common to both the school and home scenario, but with the right approach, you can beat sleepiness and stay focused.
One cannot avoid studying. But yes, it could be made interesting so that students would feel active and eager to learn whether at home or classroom. Even today’s adults would have faced this issue in their school or college days. Isn’t that true?
How to Remove Sleepiness While Studying
- Physical activity: This point makes a lot of sense as brisk walks, stretching, jumping jacks, etc., enhance blood circulation to the brain and hence, keeps it alert.
- Balanced diet: Small balanced meals help avoid the sluggishness that accompanies a heavy meal. Snacks rich in protein and complex carbohydrates such as nuts, whole grains, and yoghurt provide sustained energy. So does good hydration. It could be plain water, herbal teas or natural juices.
- Power naps: They’re very helpful if done within the limits. About 10 to 20 mins of short naps can give an energy boost. Hence, they improve alertness, enhance cognitive function and refresh the mind.
- Split lessons: Short and intense study sessions followed by brief breaks can be very helpful in keeping students alert and active.
- Study place: Students could try changing their study place maybe every day or once every week or month. Changing the monotony of studying at the same place can help students remain more alert and less sleepy.
- Study lighting: It matters a lot as the brain decides whether to doze off or remain alert according to the intensity of light. Low light tells the brain to relax and activate the sleep mode. Make sure the study place is well lit so that students can feel alert.
- Sitting position: Sit upright is the mantra for study hours. Lying down associates more with the parasympathetic nervous system which plays a role in digestion and rest.
Other tips to help you stay awake
- Avoid the bedroom: This place associates with sleep and hence, will be counterproductive if you make it your study hub. So, please avoid it as much as possible.
- Quality sleep matters: It is vital for a very productive day. A good night’s sleep reduces any form of sleepiness while studying to the bare minimum.
- Study with friends: That sounds exciting! The moment we’re with friends, our mind becomes more excited about doing things. Friends keep us active and alert through chit-chats, jokes, activities, games, sharing a snack together, etc. Additionally, teaching others helps us understand and retain the knowledge better. The informal nature of being with friends makes it easier to clear doubts.
- Deep breathing exercises: They help increase blood flow to the brain and hence, makes it easy for students to stay alert.
- Five-more rule: This method can be tried each time sleep sets in by reminding oneself to study for just five more minutes. This will bring the mind back on track.
- Aromatherapy: Certain essential oils or naturally-scented candles are very effective in maintaining alertness. Fragrances such as citrus, rosemary or peppermint could prove to be useful while uplifting students’ mood.
Sleepiness may set in but these tips may come in handy when students find themselves at the study table. Sleep Therapeutics offers specialised services in the field of sleep medicine.
Also Read: The Secret Connection Between Sleep & Weight Loss
