Waking up every morning at ungodly hours of the day, going to boring lecture after lecture, and having to run around and complete errands in between is a surefire way to wear anyone down to a zombie-like version of their former self. College is tough in the sense that you seem to be tired literally all day every day, no matter how many naps you try to squeeze into your jam-packed schedule. Well, lucky for you, there are some handy tips and tricks that are very easy to work into your daily routine to help wake you up and keep you awake all day.
1. Drink more water.
Think you’re drinking enough water? Think again. And no, chugging that glass of water every night because you forget to drink water during the day does not count. Being dehydrated causes your body to slow down and not work at the top of its game, therefore making you way more tired and sleepy during your day.
I recommend investing in a Camelbak or Tervis water bottle. The Camelbak is a truly interesting invention. In a two-week study about drinking habits with the Camelbak water bottle, Dr. Holden MacRae claimed that participants drank up to 24% more water from the Camelbak bottle than from disposable plastic bottles because of its innovative bite valve. The Tervis Tumbler is another great hydration invention, as it will insulate any hot or cold drink. Therefore, if you store water in it, it will keep your water cold and you will want to drink more of it (because no one likes lukewarm water). So if you’re looking for a way to get yourself to drink more water, a fancy water bottle/glass might be the way to go.
2. Eat breakfast.
Yes, I am totally guilty of being that person who is speed walking to class with a granola bar in hand almost every morning. However, it’s important to keep in mind that what you eat for breakfast is one of the main factors in determining whether you will be tired all day or not. Eating a breakfast with fruits, eggs, granola, Greek yogurt, and other powerful foods will keep you alert all day (and your body will thank you for a protein-filled meal). A granola bar (or skipping breakfast altogether) will not cut it. If you want to stay alert throughout your busy day, make sure you have a full and healthy meal in the morning.
3. Chew mint gum.
This one is a little bizarre, but I promise it works! If you’re feeling like you’re on the verge of passing out in your class, start chewing some minty flavored gum (preferably one that is fairly strong). This will stimulate your senses and ultimately re-invigorate your body. Also, the physical movement of chewing the gum stimulates your facial muscles, which causes an increase of blood flow to your brain. The extra blood flow will also wake you up and make you much more alert throughout the day.
4. Listen to some upbeat music.
This seems like an obvious way to get yourself feeling active and alert, but the fact of the matter is that it tremendously helps – possibly even more than you might think! Playing energetic music with lots of bass can stimulate your auditory system, and therefore wake you up. Breaking out some of your favorite throwback jams can also be very stimulating because they bring back tons of memories and exercise the brain to remember the lyrics and tune.