Staying awake on an all-nighter !
No matter if you are a student or a working adult, we all have had to pull an all-nighter at least once in our life. Everyone has felt the uneasiness and fear before exams or an approaching deadline. All-nighters can be tough on your body and mind as both require some rest to perform basic activities. Even mild sleep deprivation has negative effects on the body.
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Eating right can reduce the uneasiness and help you stay awake during the night. Eating also helps to ward off tiredness. The best type of foods for all-nighters are as follows –
- High Protein
High protein foods contain amino acids which help you stay alerted. Nuts, peanut butter, and seeds are essential during an all-nighter as they are rich in protein and low in carbohydrates. Try having few bites every 15–20 mins.
- Natural Sugar
Natural Sugar helps to energize the body. Natural sugar from fruits must be preferred and sugar from dried fruits must be avoided. Too much sugar causes a spike, which is followed by a crash. Avoid cherries as they are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle.
- Good fats only
Good fats (usually found in avocados, peanut oil, and olive oil) helps you manage your moods and fight fatigue. For all-nighters, healthy fats help to stay on top of our mental game.
- Hydration
Dehydration can make you feel groggy and dull. Proper hydration can keep your system moving. The loo breaks will keep you from drifting off. Ideally, one person will require 2–3 glasses of water per hour.
Avoid breads, potatoes, rice, as they are high in carbs which make you feel sleepy. Also avoid too many caffeinated drinks.
Remember to take a short nap of 15–20 minutes before sunrise to reset your body. Try these tips for your next all-nighter.
