Working long days can drain the energy out of you, and late shifts especially can make you feel exhausted by the end of them. As soon as you finish your long shift, you’re often left feeling like you could sleep for a whole day. This is perfectly normal as your brain has been working overtime. Every last drop of energy has been squeezed out of it as you’ve continued to work hour after hour. At this point, it’s important that you get some rest so that your mind and body can recharge. You will have had to stay awake and alert for the duration of your shift, so now it’s time to replenish your energy reserves and get to sleep. However, take heed of the tips below on how to stay awake during these long hours.
Take Regular Breaks
It’s important to take regular breaks during your long shift so that you have a few moments to relieve your brain from heavy concentration. You cannot be on the ball one hundred percent of the time, and your brain needs time to readjust and recalibrate from intense focus. If you’re working your long shift as part of your role as a health professional, then you will understand the importance of short breaks to get blood flow to the brain. Blood flow to the brain also helps to encourage creative thought. A short walk in the fresh air or sitting down on a bench outside should suffice. During your break, try to engage your mind in simple tasks such as playing games on your phone. Monotonous tasks help to slow the brains processes while still keeping it alert, so consider playing Sudoku or card games on Unibet.
Avoid Eating Sugar
Eating too much sugar sends your blood sugar levels soaring. This gives you a short high but a longer low. If you’re powering your energy levels with sugar, then you’re going to need a lot of it. As you know, too much sugar is detrimental to your health so choose another alternative. Instead, eat foods and snacks that are high in protein as protein releases energy slowly and steadily.
Drink Caffeine
Caffeine affects the central nervous system and can make you feel awake and alert. Caffeine is a stimulant and can affect individuals differently. Most people can get a buzz from drinking coffee and tea which allows them to work with more focus. Others, however, suffer from body shakes and an uncomfortably increased heart rate after drinking it. Before drinking many mugs of coffee during your long shift, have a few mugs at home and see how you react to it. Think about staggering the caffeine you drink throughout your shift so that a high doesn’t precede a fall. If you drink too much caffeine, then a crash is inevitable.
Get Enough Sleep The Night Before
If you don’t get enough sleep before your shift, then you’ll be tired. If you’re tired, you won’t be able to focus and stay alert. You need sleep to function normally, so if you don’t get the adequate hours of sleep, your work will suffer, and all your hopes for staying alert will go out the window. You need to be getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night, so ensure you’re getting this many in order to stay alert during your shift.
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