Would you like to stay awake?Most people don't plan to spend a lot of time in a row without sleep, but sometimes you have to push through.You can stay up for a few days if you plan to get full nights of sleep after 3-4 days.You will be able to push through with a little bit of preparation and a regular schedule.
Step 1: Stock up on energy by getting at least nine hours of sleep in the days before.
If you know in advance that you will need to go without sleep, try to get more rest in the days leading up.It is better to go to bed an hour or so earlier than usual.Try to get at least 9 or 10 hours of sleep in these days.Getting lots of sleep before your day starts will make you feel rested and energetic.
Step 2: Coffee should not be avoided.
During your time awake, you'll be taking in a lot of caffeine.If you use too much in the days leading up to the event, your body will get used to it and you will need more to feel the effects.You can reduce your intake of coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and other items containing caffeine by a small amount each day.To make the transition easier, try drinking herbal teas, coffee, or non-caffeinated soda.If you can't completely cut out caffeine before you go to sleep, try to consume less of it.
Step 3: During your time awake, find something to keep you busy.
You probably already have a good reason for staying up for multiple days, like a big project, but you could look for other activities that can help fill the time.The more engaged your brain is, the more likely you are to stay awake.It is possible to stay alert and awake when you are sleepy by going for walks outside, listening to upbeat music, or playing video games.
Step 4: Don't forget to stock up on healthy food and drink.
It's possible to keep going during the day with regular food and drink.Coffee and tea can help you stay up, but so can healthy foods, and eating enough.Look for fish, such as salmon, and fruits like oranges and tangerines.
Step 5: Tell your friends what you are doing so they can keep an eye on you.
It is possible to stay awake and motivated by having a friend with you.If you tell others that you will stay up, they will know to stay away and you can work in peace.You should always ask your friends to check in on you, no matter what.
Step 6: Start your day strong by eating breakfast.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and eating a good one can get you off to a strong start on your quest to stay up for multiple days.It's important to have healthy breakfast foods like fruit and whole grains.Sugary cereals and large amounts of caffeine can cause a crash.Bran cereals, citrus fruits, and eggs are great breakfast choices to keep your energy up throughout the day.Breakfast in the morning is a must for a regular schedule.It will help keep you on track when you have to go to work or class.Staying on schedule can make it easier to get back to a regular schedule after finishing.
Step 7: You should drink coffee throughout the day.
It's not a good idea to be mainlining espressos, but having regular caffeine breaks throughout the day can keep you awake.The recommended amount of caffeine for a single day is 400, and one cup of coffee usually contains 100.You might want your first cup after you wake up, but some movement or a quick shower is all you need to get past your grogginess.If you wait until the middle of the day or early afternoon, you will probably experience your first slump.As you get into the next few days, you may need to increase your intake.By the end, you could be at a dose every few hours, which will get you over 400 milligrams per day.It's fine, but make sure you keep your portions at 100-150 milligrams.This will prevent you from taking too much and from getting into a crash.If you have a normal daily intake of coffee, this will work.If you consume a lot of caffeine, it will make it harder for you to stay awake because the effects will be diminished.
Step 8: If you want to avoid getting sleepy, eat light meals.
Big meals will make you sleepy.If you want to stay awake and energetic for several hours, choose small portions of healthy foods.Don't get too full or sleepy if you eat enough.snack breaks with foods like nuts and fruit, and spacing a few light meals throughout the day and night.
Step 9: You can keep your mind stimulated by moving around.
Keeping your brain moving and awake will be aided by exercising and motion.Taking short breaks of about 10 minutes to get up and walk around will help keep you on track, even if you are trying to finish an assignment for class or work.If you're looking for something a little more intense than a short walk, some sit-ups or pushups at your desk will do the trick.This doesn't need to be a full workout, just some movement to get the blood flowing and your energy back up.When you start to feel tired, you'll want to exercise.Try to take 10-minute workout breaks every half hour as the days go by.
Step 10: The lights should be on to stay alert.
If you keep the lights on and the setting bright, you can trick your body into thinking it is daytime and you should be awake.If you can, keep the curtains open during the day and maybe even go outside.If you have a desk lamp and a ceiling fixture, turn them on for extra brightness.
Step 11: Beat slumps with cold water or air.
Your body won't function at full capacity all day long, and there will be moments where you'll be tempted to go to sleep.If you start to feel this coming on, you can get rid of it with a splash of cold water on your face, or a blast of cool air from the window.The effect won't last forever, but it can help if you slip up.If you feel fatigued, try to splash cold water on your face every 30 minutes or so.You can take a shower.Your body will give you periods of higher energy in the morning and evening.These times, save your most important tasks.If you start to feel sleepy in the middle of the night, you'll be more willing to take a break for a shower or make more coffee.
Step 12: Do activities that don't require concentration.
During your time awake, you will experience periods called microsleep, which means you'll sleep, or "zone out," for several seconds at a time.You might be able to operate during that time, but you should avoid activities that could endanger you or others.Don't do any potentially dangerous activities during your time awake because you cannot plan when this microsleep will take place.If you need to go somewhere, you can ask a friend to drive you or take public transportation.It is safer for you and those around you.
Step 13: If you want to start recovering, get more sleep.
Your first priority will be to sleep once you've made it all the way to the end of your day.You might not be able to control when you fall asleep on your first day back to sleeping.Try to get back on your regular sleep schedule as soon as you can, sleeping only at night with a 15-20 minute nap or two during the day if you start to feel sleepy.It is possible to sleep for up to 11 hours per night.There will be some side effects to having been awake for so long, but a few days of regular sleep will get you back to normal.
Step 14: To get a good night's sleep, start to reduce your caffeine intake.
If you drink coffee and stay awake through the day it will ruin your schedule.If you want to cut back on your coffee and tea consumption, start by lowering it by a cup every few days.If you start to experience headaches, drowsiness, or muscle aches, try drinking water or herbal tea, taking pain relief medicines, and getting up for a bit of exercise.
Step 15: Continue to eat natural foods to avoid crashes.
When you're sleep deprived, you tend to crave junk food, but eating lots of refined sugars will make it harder to recover from your time awake.Continue to eat foods with natural sugars to keep you awake without making you sleepy.Go for foods that are lean, like fish and chicken.
Step 16: Drink a lot of water.
Dehydration can make you feel even more tired, and after consuming lots of caffeine, you will need a good amount of water to get your energy back up.If you are a man or a woman, try to drink about 15 cups of water.Herbal tea isn't caffeinated and can help you perk up, you can also go for soothing drinks.
Step 17: You have time to recover if you keep your next few days clear.
It's best to take it easy in the days after you wake up because you may not be able to avoid doing other work.If you can, avoid doing important activities because you will be sleepy and not at your full capacity.If you have to have deadline extensions or take 1-2 sick days, ask your supervisor or teacher.