Having trouble staying awake? Well, you’re not alone. Seniors are notable for having sleeping problems—problems that range from insomnia, over sleeping, or even falling asleep during wrong times of the day. Of course, there are factors to these problems—factors that we need to know first before we actually address the problem.

However, if you belong to a group of people who just happen to have an inclination with sleeping—that is, no other factors affecting the way you sleep—and you would want to know the safest, most natural way to stay awake than depend on those energy boosting drinks, then read on:

•    Exercise, or at the very least, move. No use lying around for 5 more minutes after the alarm sets off in the morning. If you want to be awake, you need to stand up and work it out. Exercise boosts energy levels and prepares your body for the day ahead. If you are not up to it, a good walk will surely wear your sleepiness off!
•    Go for power naps. Let’s face it, some people are born to sleep. Power naps will give your body what it needs without your sleepiness affecting your everyday schedule too much. Just don’t give in to those extra minutes in bed.
•    Avoid eye fatigue. Tired eyes can make you sleepy when all your eyes need is some rest. If you need to wear eye glasses, then do so. When reading a book, give your eyes a little break in between chapters by closing it for few minutes. However, when working with computers, avoid eyestrain by looking away from the monitor for few minutes every now and then.
•    Avoid working under dim lights. There is always a mood for everything. Dim lights are for relaxing after a hard day’s work while bright lights are for energy to keep up with the day’s work.
•    Do breathing exercises. Exercises such as this can help clear your mind by raising oxygen levels in the body, slowing down your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure. With improved circulation, your mental performance will be at its peak.
•    Stimulate your mind. Monotonous work is boring. It makes your mind go numb and your body, auto-mode. During these times, since you are doing a mindless task, your mind is fully relaxed, hence sleepy.
•    Keep your body hydrated at all times. Dehydration can cause your body to naturally send distress signal which is basically to relax you and make you sleepy so that it can preserve its remaining energy.