INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Walk around a little if you can. Resist the urge to sit  or lay down. Also avoid leaning up against anything. If your eyes are heavy, you may doze off. As long as you are standing up and moving you should be able to avoid falling asleep. Cold water works best. The colder the better. Something to sort of shock you into waking up. You can easily excuse yourself to the bathroom to do this. The goal here is to make yourself uncomfortable. If your face is cold you will be less likely to fall asleep. If you have short, combed-over hair you could put cold water on your scalp too. This is a lot easier in winter or in cold offices. Take off that jacket or scarf. Roll up your long sleeves. Grab a glass of ice cold water. Take a few gulps, refill, and keep it at your desk. If you have a space heater at your desk, turn it off. You may even want to turn a fan on to keep you cooler. You may opt to start doing things more quickly. Stand and march in place while at your desk. If you can take a quick break, do jumping jacks or run in place. This will get your heart rate up. More blood will be moving to your brain and your lungs will start working harder to provide oxygen to the blood. As your heart rate rises you will be more awake and alert. Taking a shower will also influence your cardiovascular system by raising your blood pressure. If you are tired, a monotonous task will prompt your eyes to become very heavy. If you can switch tasks and do something different, try that instead. If it involves paying close attention to something or someone else that's even better. When our minds are engaged we become more awake and alert. If you can listen to something on the radio or on your phone do so. If you have a favorite radio station or upbeat playlist or music album listen to that and sing. Try listening to a book on tape. If you like keeping up with current events, news radio may also keep your mind engaged. If you are unable to shake your midday sleepiness you may not be getting enough rest in general. Consider establishing a regular sleep routine and avoiding snacks and beverages that can make you sleepy. Consult a physician if you have a regular sleep schedule and still feel tired during midday.

SUMMARY: Stay standing as much as possible. Splash water on your face. Lower your body temperature. Raise your heart rate. Engage your mind in an entertaining task. Eliminate the source of your tiredness.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: One great way to fight sleepiness is to take a nap. These naps should be short - 5 to 25 minutes - and well before your bedtime. Try to nap 6-7 hours or longer from your bedtime.  If you can't take a nap, try closing your eyes and lying there while you rest for about 10 minutes.  Try not to sleep too long. If you sleep more than 20-30 minutes, you won't get into a deep sleep or mess up your inner clock, both of which can make you feel groggy. One of the main reasons you feel sleepy is because you don't get enough. You need to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Get on a sleep schedule so that your body can form a habit. Sleep during the hours of 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. The body relaxes the most during those hours. If you stay up too late, your body's natural sleep rhythms can get out of balance. Plus, going to bed late might not give you the 7-8 hours you need. One thing that can help you get proper sleep is to rid yourself of distractions in your room. This includes electronics such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, and televisions. You might be inclined to stay on the computer or cell phone too long, which cuts into your sleep time. Cut off all TVs and radios. If you need to sleep with sound in the background, try soothing music, sleep sounds like rain or thunderstorms, or small water fountains.

SUMMARY:
Take a nap. Get enough sleep. Sleep at the proper times. Get rid of distractions.