Beating Daytime Drowsiness
About 40 percent of Americans say they often feel drowsy during the day. These simple steps can help you overcome that sleepy feeling and stay alert:
Eat light. Choose small meals and snacks rather than large meals to minimize the sluggishness that follows rapid changes in blood sugar. Good choices: low-fat microwave popcorn; cut-up veggies with fat-free dip; cottage cheese or fat-free yogurt with fruit; rice cakes spread with peanut butter.
Get moving. Even a brief walk of 15-30 minutes will do wonders for your energy level.
Take 20. If policy permits, try taking a short nap. A brief snooze — no more than 20 minutes, many experts say — can make a difference in alertness, judgment, safety and productivity.
Change your commute. Average commutes are growing longer, possibly contributing to fatigue. Next time you wake up drowsy, try public transportation or carpooling with a coworker if those are options. You’ll arrive at work better rested and ready to start — and finish — the day in good spirits.
To avoid that sleepy feeling: Go to bed earlier. Most people need to sleep 7-9 hours in order to feel rested.
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