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We have such demanding lives that we often fall prey to micro-sleep. Micro-sleep is repeated periods (a second or two, or maybe 10), when you zone out and don’t process information. Here are some tips to stay awake. During a sleepy meeting, start a conversation on a topic that requires attention. Bring up an issue that will stir you out of sleep.

Use the Brain Gym.
Brain Gym is a programme of simple exercises, developed over a 25-year period by a remedial educational specialist, Dr Paul Dennison. One of the techniques is Brain Buttons. Use your thumb and forefinger and place them on either side of the breast bone just below the collar bone. Gently rub for 20 or 30 seconds whilst placing your other hand on your navel. Change hands and repeat. This stimulates the flow of oxygen carrying blood through the carotid arteries to the brain, to awaken it and increase concentration.

Tighten your belt
Tighten some part of your clothing like the belt, tie or the scarf. Do it to an extent that it makes you uncomfortable.

Use Imagination
Dr Denis Waitley, PhD worked with Olympic athletes on what he calls Visual Motor Rehearsal. He hooked them up to sophisticated bio feedback machines and made them run their race in their minds. He discovered that the same muscles fired in the same order as they did when the race was being run on the track. Use your imagination to do some vigorous workouts in your mind. Feel the experience associated with it and you will find yourself fired up.

Get a Power Nap
This should be for about 10 to 15 minutes only. If you make it any longer, it will drain you out. Try to see where you can find time for it. Post-lunch is a good time. If you have a flexible day, you can find many opportunities for it. A power nap can refresh and rejuvenate you.

Article by Dr. Sanjay Salooja