Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

How to Stay Awake, Caffeine Free

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SCU chapter.

Have you ever wanted to stay awake without using caffeine? Well, look no further! Here are several different ways that you can keep yourself alert and get everything you need to done:

1. Working in your dorm:

Turn on the lights.

Studies say that bright lights signal the brain to awaken. Plus, you’ll be less tempted to doze off when it’s not dark.

Turn the thermostat down.

Warm environments make us want to take naps, whereas the cold tends to make us more alert.

2. Studying in the library:

Drink LOTS of water.

This allows your body to function smoothly.

Listen to music.

Music with a strong bassline has been proven to increase our heart rates, allowing us to keep up our energy. Since I can’t study to music with lyrics, I have found that energetic classical music actually work pretty well. Movie scores are great for this too.

3. When you’re struggling to stay awake in that one class:

Take notes.

Find a way to take notes that is engaging to you, like using pretty highlighters or a fun color. 

Chew gum.

Chewing gum, especially peppermint gum which has been known to improve concentration and brain function, can help give you that little extra bit of focus you need to make it through that 8am.

Try these out and see which work for you!

 

Catherine is a sophomore English and Communication double major, hailing from the beautiful coastal town of Santa Cruz, CA. Her hobbies include reading books, collecting rare tea and feeling sophisticated, watching BBC shows, pretending to be good at singing, and running far, far away from people who tell her that there is nothing you can do with an English major. 
Victoria is a senior at Santa Clara University and is a History and Spanish double major with double minors in Political Science and Anthropology. A native Los Angelino, she's a huge Kings & Dodgers fan & will defend her favorite teams fiercely. Lover of Netflix, popcorn, & mint moose tracks ice cream. You can basically count on finding her snacking, binge-watching Game of Thrones, or in the library (sometimes all three at the same time).