Staying Awake During the Daytime
By Stephen R. Farris
Are you getting enough sleep? It's a wonder that any of us do these days. Back when our grandparents were working, raising our mothers and fathers, their work schedules were pretty much set. They got up early in the morning. Went to work, then came home and went to bed early. This was routine for them.
Not so much with the baby boomer, Gen X and millennial generations. Work schedules for these groups can range from rotating shifts to non-set hours, or split shifts in some cases, robbing us of the rest we need to relax and recuperate our bodies.
Often times we find ourselves -- if you work during the day -- falling asleep at work, or having difficulty staying awake and alert as we should be. Because we have bills to pay, mortgages to pay, groceries to buy and families to take care of, we fall asleep when we can. A nap here, a nap there, and toss in the power nap somewhere in-between. So how can we overcome this problem? There are solutions; however, they do require a little discipline on our part.
Set Up a Routine
At some point, in order to avoid potential health problems, a sleep routine needs to be set. If you work a day shift, try to go to bed early so that you may get at least six to eight hours of sleep each night. Always strive to get up at the same time each morning.
Avoid Naps
Power naps are not that bad, especially if you work very long hours each day. But with a normal routine, do everything possible to stay awake during your work day. Take breaks often as you are allowed and get up, move around, drink some water, or step outside to get some fresh air.
Bedtime Equals Quiet Time
Probably the worst thing our parents and grandparents dealt with at bedtime was either a television or radio left on, or the neighbor's dog barking during the night that kept them up and prevented them from getting a good night's rest. Today, it's computers, tablets, smartphones and other digital devices that can keep our brain from winding down when it should. The best advice is to turn them off when trying to turn in for the night.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mukilteo, Wash.