The older we get, the harder it is for us to stay up all night. Sometimes though, it’s necessary. Maybe you have a lot to study, maybe you have to work, but whatever the case, you need to stay up all night and be productive. At some point, you’re going to get really tired and wish to drop everything and go to bed, but you have to power through and keep going. Pulling an all-nighter isn’t recommended as it messes with your biological clock causing you to be tired throughout the week. However, if you absolutely have to do it, there are steps you can take to keep yourself productive and not ruin your week completely.
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Sleep well the night before
Img source: wsj.com
The main condition is to be well rested from the night before. If you haven’t slept well the night before, don’t attempt to pull an all-nighter the next night. You’re not going to be able to stay awake for a long time, you’re not going to be productive at all, and you’re going to ruin your whole week for sure. So, make sure to sleep for a full 8 hours the night before the one you’re planning to work or study. Waking up early, doing everything on time, and not procrastinating would be easier and healthier, but in case you have to stay up, do it properly.
Make yourself a cup of coffee or buy an energy drink
Energy drinks are usually consumed by students and marketing campaigns are typically targeting students. It seems reasonable that students are the ones who most often need a lot of caffeine. However, don’t overdo it with energy drinks. They’re full of sugar and caffeine, and drinking them too often in big amounts can cause serious health issues most of which include problems with the heart. Coffee, on the other hand, is a much healthier alternative and it can even prevent liver problems.
Img source: shambhalaschool.org
Besides caffeine, there are other things, like Provigil, that can help. Provigil, or modafinil, is a medication usually used to treat narcolepsy and help with shift work. It can also help you stay productive during the night. Healthline.com notes that Provigil is a controlled substance and that it’s a prescription medication.
Drink coffee and take a power nap
Simply finishing coffee after coffee and energy drink after energy drink might seem intuitive, but it will stop being effective at some point so you have to adapt your strategy. Drink a cup of coffee and take a 20-minute nap, not more. After you wake up, you’re going to feel much better and rested. I tried power naps that lasted longer or shorter than 20 minutes, but that doesn’t seem to work for me. I either wake up tired like I never slept, or I feel like I’m waking up from a coma.
Eat a lot of proteins
You’re going to need energy in order to stay up all night. Try to focus on proteins instead of carbs. Proteins will provide you with the energy your body needs and prevent you from falling asleep on your book.
