how to fight sleep inertia
How to Fight Sleep Inertia
If you're not a sleep deprived being, you will know of sleep inertia as the first 1 to 5 minutes after waking up. In this phase, you're awake, but not fully. If, however, you are facing sleeping problems, then this duration may be substantial, and you will need to find the right cure.
- First one being light sleep or half asleep
- Second comes low eye movement and asleep
- Third stage being the transition with the inception of Delta waves or "deep-sleep" waves
- Fourth stage being full of those waves
- Just get off that bed. It doesn't matter how comfortable your mattress is, get off it. And if you can't get off, jump off. The blood rush and the instant need for an energy burst gives you a proper kick to feel wide awake.
- Get as much sunlight into your room as you can. You can either pull the curtains open or have someone do it for you.
- If you do have someone to do that, then you can go ahead and give them permission to drag you out of the bed too. Humiliation and laziness are no excuses for ruining a good day.
- Another point I'd like to mention is that the 'snooze' function on an alarm is just something that you'll use to prolong your sleep. So avoid using it.
- Stop any caffeine consumption in the evenings. Your body responds to any caffeine intake for quite a long time, so any coffee in the evening may keep you awake for a long time.
- Your body responds to sunlight in the morning by releasing chemicals that help you wake up. So make it a point to not draw the blinds completely when you go to sleep.
- Splash water on your face. Use warm water in winter and cold water in summer. The temperature change should shock you out of your trance.
- Take care of your sleeping posture, even when napping. Muscle contortions may drain off some energy, making them feel limp and weak when you wake up.
- Make sure you get plenty of sleep, or rather the right amount. The optimum amount of sleep depends from person to person, but averages out between 6 to 8 hours. Don't compromise your time to sleep in the night, unless it's something too important. Bear in mind, the amount of time for which you sleep not only affects you when you wake up, but can also have long term effects on your body.
- The main aim is to feel sleepy at the right time. This involves eating the right food for a clean and healthy system, getting enough exercise to expend energy and regenerate it, socialize and keep a balanced lifestyle.