When you wake up in the middle of the night, your mind may be racing with ideas, you may be concerned about your business, or you may have a big meeting, exam, or deadline the next day and only have the night to prepare for. In that case, you’ll need foods that will give you energy, increase your alertness, and help you stay awake at work.
In this post, I will be sharing 7 foods that can help you stay awake and provide energy.
The goal of eating these foods is not to stop or block your whole sleep cycle but to produce alertness in your body so that you can work for a few additional hours efficiently.
7 Foods to stay awake
Banana
While working on something important, if you feel tired, eating a banana can boost your performance and help you stay alert.
Bananas can help you sleep better, as well as increase your energy levels and mental focus.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate contains cacao, amino acids, and caffeine, which are brain-boosting compounds that can help you stay awake.
Eating chocolate while working will help decrease your feeling of stress and improve your energy levels and concentration.
However, one ordinary bar of chocolate may not be enough to make a big difference, therefore you may need to eat at least 2-3 of it.
The darker the chocolate, the greater the effect it will have on your body.
Coffee
Drinking coffee when you feel low or sleepy can be beneficial. It is perfect for waking you up and keeping you focused for some amount of time.
Coffee contains caffeine, which is a brain-boosting compound and has the power to keep you alert. Also, coffee is the most common food that people use to stay awake and alert while working.
During the evening, our brain begins producing adenosine (a hormone responsible for feeling tired and sleepy) in our bodies. Drinking caffeine late in the evening block the production of these hormones that makes us more alert and focused towards our work.
However, you should avoid drinking too much coffee late in the day since it might affect the quality of your sleep.
Almonds
Almonds are high in magnesium, a substance that acts as a natural muscle relaxant. They help to keep your blood flowing, muscles relaxed, and energy levels high, allowing you to stay awake for a few hours longer.
They are also loaded with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids that can be beneficial in boosting alertness and helping you stay sharp at work.
Fish
Salmon and other fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your brain and overall alertness.
When you have something important to work on late at night, eating fish in the evening can provide you the energy you need to stay awake.
Aged Cheese
Aged Cheese is a type of cheese designed to be cured for a period of time in a controlled atmosphere. It contains tyramine, an amino acid that acts as a brain stimulant, making you less able to fall asleep. Eating aged cheese also boosts energy levels by releasing adrenaline into your body.
Tyramine is frequently recommended to weight-loss patients because it aids glucose absorption when carbs are scarce.
However, consuming tyramine in excess amounts can cause several health problems like headaches, high blood pressure.
Foods high in tyramine are generally avoided by people who suffer from headaches or high blood pressure.
Water
Staying hydrated is by far the most effective approach to reduce sluggishness and helps the body to function properly. It becomes even more critical when you are pushing your body to those extra hours.
Drinking water while working helps you to stay alert, hydrated, and maintain focus. You should drink plenty of water throughout the day so that dehydration doesn’t drain your energy levels and concentration on work. Also, dehydration makes you feel tired and dull.
You’ll feel more energized if you keep a reusable water bottle on hand throughout the day.
Conclusion
I know that today’s lifestyle can make it difficult to stay awake. Eating a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods is one of the best ways to keep you feeling your best.
I hope you enjoyed this post about the top seven foods to help you stay awake.
Don’t forget to share it!
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