Falling asleep at work can harm job performance and lead to dismissal. Boredom, poor sleep, and diet can cause fatigue. Quick fixes include music, gum, coffee, and snacks. Chronic fatigue may require lifestyle changes or medical attention.
Falling asleep at work will likely reduce a person’s job performance, if not get them fired. Poor sleep, boredom, and some dietary issues can lead to fatigue at work. There are several quick fixes, such as switching activities and drinking coffee, that can give a person a temporary boost. A person who habitually falls asleep at work may need to make more permanent changes to sleep patterns and nutrition.
Boredom can be a major cause of fatigue at work, especially if a job involves repetitive tasks. If the boss allows, a person can try playing music at his workstation. If a certain music makes a person want to dance, chances are it will give him enough energy to keep him awake at work. Keeping the volume low enough not to be distracting – personal headphones can help with this – means that music can occupy a person’s mind while they are performing tasks that don’t require much thought.
Chewing gum, especially one with a strong mint flavor, can make a person feel less tired. Mint is stimulating to the taste buds and nose, often causing the eyes to open involuntarily. The act of chewing alone can ease boredom and reduce stress in the jaw and neck muscles. Finally, blowing bubbles with an eraser can add some fun to monotonous moments. A person should just be careful not to pop the gum, which could disturb his colleagues.
Coffee is a common binder for many people who find themselves falling asleep at work, and for good reason. The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that can greatly reduce lethargy. Additionally, the walk to the coffee pot can give a person a quick and much-needed break from work and allow them to stretch their muscles.
A person who eats a large, carbohydrate-rich lunch may find themselves falling asleep at work a few hours later. Starches and sugars can cause blood sugar to rise rapidly, then drop a couple of hours later. This drop in blood sugar can cause drowsiness. For times when heavy lunches cannot be avoided, a person should try keeping a packet of peanuts or crackers on their desk for snacking during the afternoon.
It takes eight hours of sleep each night for the average person to function well the next day. An occasional late night outing can probably be tolerated, but a habitual lack of sleep will almost certainly lead to fatigue. A person who knows they didn’t get enough sleep the night before should consider finding a quiet, remote spot and taking a quick nap during their lunch break. Even 15 minutes of sleep could make it easier to stay awake for the rest of the shift.
For some, chronically falling asleep at work can be a symptom of an underlying health issue. Anemia, undiagnosed sleep disturbances, and depression are just some of the health problems that can cause lethargy. A person should consider seeing a doctor if he or she finds that he sleeps excessively or is constantly fatigued.
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