Survive an All-Nighter
Deadlines are due, the exam is coming up, the situation needs monitoring, or you just want to stay up to see the sunrise with a special sweetheart... there's lots of reasons why you may have to pull an "all-nighter", and go an entire day without sleep. Here's some tips and common misconceptions to help you get through it:
Caffeine. This simple miracle drug will keep you at a heightened state of alartness throughout the night. Take it in moderate doses through the occasional cup of coffee, tea, soda or energy drink. Just enough to keep you awake, but not so much that it melts a hole through your stomach lining. Drink lots of water, since caffeine will dehydrate you, which in turn saps your long-term energy.
Sugar. Stay away from it. Sugar gives you a quick and sudden energy burst, but will actually end up making you even more tired than you were before the second you fall out of the sugar high. Keeping a constant supply might seem feasible, but you'll only hit the pavement the second it wears off.
Snacks. Food is good, and as long as it's in a slow steady stream, will supply you with plenty of energy. However, stay away from unhealthy snacks and carbohydrates, which take more effort to digest.
Adrenaline. This is the real secret to staying awake for long periods of time. Physical exercise works, and so does staying excited about your goal for staying up. As long as you maitain a sence of urgency and excitement, you're pretty much set. Be careful that this doesn't turn into stress, or that hole in your stomach lining won't need the coffee.
Music. Fast-paced, loud, and interesting. Not only will it fuel your adrenaline, but will keep your mind distracted and busy.
Comedy. No one has ever fallen asleep while laughing hysterically. Keep things light and funny.
Accountability. If you're staying awake with others, work together to make sure nobody drifts off to sleep.
Naps. While techically sleeping, a short 30-minute nap will give you the energy you need to go on for several more hours.
If there's anything I've missed, let me know.
I'm writing this while my computer is busy rendering a video, and I've only had a handful of short naps worth of sleep in the last three days. I've learned these things by experience!
Caffeine. This simple miracle drug will keep you at a heightened state of alartness throughout the night. Take it in moderate doses through the occasional cup of coffee, tea, soda or energy drink. Just enough to keep you awake, but not so much that it melts a hole through your stomach lining. Drink lots of water, since caffeine will dehydrate you, which in turn saps your long-term energy.
Sugar. Stay away from it. Sugar gives you a quick and sudden energy burst, but will actually end up making you even more tired than you were before the second you fall out of the sugar high. Keeping a constant supply might seem feasible, but you'll only hit the pavement the second it wears off.
Snacks. Food is good, and as long as it's in a slow steady stream, will supply you with plenty of energy. However, stay away from unhealthy snacks and carbohydrates, which take more effort to digest.
Adrenaline. This is the real secret to staying awake for long periods of time. Physical exercise works, and so does staying excited about your goal for staying up. As long as you maitain a sence of urgency and excitement, you're pretty much set. Be careful that this doesn't turn into stress, or that hole in your stomach lining won't need the coffee.
Music. Fast-paced, loud, and interesting. Not only will it fuel your adrenaline, but will keep your mind distracted and busy.
Comedy. No one has ever fallen asleep while laughing hysterically. Keep things light and funny.
Accountability. If you're staying awake with others, work together to make sure nobody drifts off to sleep.
Naps. While techically sleeping, a short 30-minute nap will give you the energy you need to go on for several more hours.
If there's anything I've missed, let me know.
I'm writing this while my computer is busy rendering a video, and I've only had a handful of short naps worth of sleep in the last three days. I've learned these things by experience!
posted by whs3 at
8:15 PM
1 Comments:
maybe, u should learn how to schedule sleep instead of missing it?..... maybe i'm not one to talk about sleep....lol
By
Shannon, at 5:07 PM
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