Work can be exhausting, sure. But, how do you deal with those sudden waves of sleepiness that creep up on you at the worst of times? Why do you feel sleepy during work? Is it sleep derivation or a sleep disorder? Should you visit a sleep clinic Damascus MD? Here is everything you need to know.

Causes Of Sleepiness At Work

Stress

Do you guys have an important and stressful event coming up that needs to get done? Is there something else on your mind that is causing you to stress out so much? Are you losing sleep over small things that are out of your control?

Well, that is mainly stress and this sucker can suck the peace and quiet out of your life and the way it starts is by making you lose sleep, and then causing you to doze off at weird hours of the day, even at work. So, if you’re stressed and anxious about some things coming up, then that might be the reason why you’re sleeping at ungodly hours of the day.

Insomnia

Sleeping disorders can also be the cause of you losing sleep at night when you’re supposed to relax your body and brain and then you can snore during random hours of the day even at work which is quite frustrating and even embarrassing.

If you suffer from sleeping disorders like insomnia or even sleep apnea and it disrupts your sleep at night, then it’s no wonder that you will be dozing off during work. It’s the last place where you should sleep, but you can’t help it.

Restless Leg Syndrome

This is also a sleep disorder plus a neurological disorder and it doesn’t only cause you to flail and move your legs around like crazy but it can also disrupt your sleep in the night and we all know what can happen after the fact. You’ll be sleeping during the day, that too at work.

Restless leg syndrome isn’t actually quite as harmful as insomnia, but it is still frustrating and if you sleep with someone and share the same bed, well your restless legs won’t be pleasant for your sleeping partner to experience. So, it’s better to consult with a sleep doctor right away.

Using Other Medication

It’s a fact that certain medication can alter your sleep. Maybe it’s an antidepressant you’re taking. Maybe it’s a medicine for your chronic health issues. Whatever the case may be, it might be that these meds are what are causing you to lose sleep during the night and make you super tired during the day when you’re at work.

If you have to take these meds, then try to change the time when you take them. This might help with the sleep issue and you’ll be able to fall asleep quickly and on time.

Too Much Stimulation

Are you someone who chugs coffee and tea down during the night? Well, it’s no wonder you can’t fall asleep at night and then you find yourself dozing off at work. Coffee and tea have a lot of caffeine in them. Energy drinks and sugary fizzy drinks are also no exception.

So, the thing is, when you drink too much caffeine at a time when you’re supposed to be sleeping, then it can cause your brain to stay alert for hours and when the caffeine finally exits your system, it’s work time and that is when that wave of drowsiness hits you like a train. However, if you can’t sleep in any case, see an insomnia doctor Bethesda.

How To Combat Sleepiness At Work?

So, now you know why you are super sleepy and dozing off during important meetings at work and even at your desk, the next thing you want to figure out is how to combat it. Well, here are some simple fixes that pack a punch and you’ll be surprised at how energized you feel after you employ these simple habits in your daily routine and even during those small breaks you get at work.

Get Up

Staying stationary at a desk for 8 hours or more can do you in. You can feel tired, fatigued, and just not your best self. This is why whenever you get hit with that wave of exhaustion, you want to stand up from your desk and walk for a bit.

This is good and it will get your brain going and your body moving. The exhaustion will wear off and you will see for yourself how refreshed you feel in no time. This is a quick fix for that sleep attack.

Have Some Caffeine

If there’s a perfect time for you to chug down a mug of coffee and wave that exhaustion away, then it is now. Instead of drinking coffee in the middle of the evening or close to bedtime, reserve that special cup of energy for work when you need it.

Make that steaming cup of coffee the way you like it and savor every sip. You will get the energy and stimulation you need to get through the day and it will also give you something else to do other than just staring at a computer screen.

Meditate

This is something that you can do even at your work desk and don’t worry, because people won’t walk by you and look at you like you’re a yoga instructor. When it comes to meditation, you don’t have to bust out the yoga moves right then and there.

It is mainly about controlling your breathing and relaxing your mind and body. It will melt the stress away and it will also make you feel energized. So, for a couple of minutes, let everything go, close your eyes, and just breathe. You’ll see the difference in no time.

Exercise Early In The Morning

If you can, try to squeeze in your daily workout before work. This is not only a great way to start the day, but you have one thing out of the way and you don’t have to do it after work when you have zero energy.

Exercising releases endorphins which not only make you happy, but they also give you that burst of energy. So, exercising early in the morning will prepare you for the busy day ahead and you won’t experience that drowsy feeling creeping up on you when you’re crunching down the numbers and getting work done productively.

Eat Healthy

Snacks are always the answer when it comes to feeling drowsy, but you don’t want to bust open that bag of potato chips that has more calories than energy. Rather, you want to opt for healthy snacks. It doesn’t have to be a salad or anything like that.

It can be a bowl of yogurt with berries. It can be granola with a bit of milk. It can also be an energy bar or if you don’t have anything, then even a handful of nuts will get the job done. They’re good for your body and mind.

Conclusion

Sleepiness during work can be common and depending on whether you got sleep last night or not, the results can be detrimental to your health. If you’re frequently experiencing daytime sleepiness, visit a sleep center Frederick.