As I recover from the nasty stomach flu, 2 bags of IV fluid and many hours of sleep later, I felt like this post was suiting since typically wakefulness is definitely something I struggle with on the chaotic college schedule, but now is even worse with being in the recovery process.
Whether it be struggling from wakefulness for reasons like me, or for reasons like narcolepsy, which can be a debilitating illness, there are natural ways to combat this condition. One of the best ways to increase wakefulness and alertness is to exercise, according to a study conducted in 2007. One of the most important things that the study uncovered was the fact that narcolepsy is caused by a lack of orexin. But more importantly, orexin production can be stimulated through acidification of the blood, which is caused by exercise.
So here’s a list of five exercises that can help you get awake and stay alert on any given day:
Running
If you’re in good enough shape, running is one of the best ways to boost on your energy level and wakefulness. Try a morning jog to enhance your wakefulness for the next couple of hours.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are a good exercise that really gets the blood flowing. If you start feeling tired throughout the day, a set of jumping jacks is sure to give you that extra boost you need to keep you awake.
Crunches
Although it may seem silly to do crunches in your office cubicle, imagine how you’d feel if you were caught sleeping at work. A good set of crunches can increase blood flow to the brain, which will last for the next couple of hours.
Try my Ab Burning Workout, here
Try Yoga
If you don’t want to get sweaty, try some yoga. There are a wide range of poses that increase blood flow. There are many benefits from Yoga, including feeling mentally refreshed and more alert as the heart continues to supply more fuel for your brain.
So the next time you feel like you want to pass out at work or home, try some of these exercises. Not only will you get rid of that tired feeling, your body and brain will benefit from your workout regimen.
But…
All the benefits of regular exercise may still not be enough to convince you to get active. Stress, fatigue, work, children: these things all have a habit of getting in the way and giving you a ready made excuse to get out. If you could maintain a higher level motivation, chances are you would make it to the gym. One life hack that’s growing in popularity is Modafinil, which is a nootropic proven to improve wakefullness. (There are many places to get a supply online. ModafinilCat has good reviews on Reddit and seems like a sound option. But I have never tried it myself.) Students are using it to pull all nighters, athletes use it to run faster, pilots use it to be more responsive, businessmen use it to get more done. If motivation or fatigue is holding your back, this could be an option worth exploring.