I’m sure many of us will have some experience of falling asleep in the wrong place or at the wrong time. We may have been in a boring meeting or seminar, had a hard time listening while someone spoke uninspired, found ourselves half asleep in a room with no air or too hot, or felt like we had overdone it at lunch. I have regularly had to rewind my TV due to falling asleep before the end of a show! Many of these situations are understandably sleep-inducing.
– When a speaker or trainer delivers their speech in a monotone, arranges each session to continue without interruption, or has a tedious message to deliver, their important information can be lost as the audience struggles to focus on hearing it. Breaking up presentations and seminars into bite-sized chunks, perhaps including interactive sections, a movie, or some assorted personal work, can help keep everyone’s interest piqued.
– Also, staying indoors to work or study all day instead of taking an occasional break outdoors can make you feel sluggish and sleepy in the afternoon. Fresh air can be a great revitalizer, that and a stop for water and healthy food. Some cultures support an afternoon nap, and indeed some companies offer sleep pods where employees can take a 20-minute nap, but if we fall asleep on a regular basis, we may need to consider getting some good health or style advice. of life.
– Make sure you stay well nourished and hydrated, especially during busy or stressful periods. Exercise breaks can also make a real difference by allowing you to get some time away from work, give your mind a break, and wake up your muscles and circulation. Breaks, exercise, and nutrition are important ways to manage stress and maintain good energy levels by providing a renewed pick-me-up.
– It is also important to keep in mind that if you regularly fall asleep in the wrong place, it can be an indicator that all is not well; there may be a health condition, you may feel depressed, be doing too much, or need more personal time. If you find that you can’t help but fall asleep regularly and find it hard to stay awake, it might be a good idea to schedule a check-up with your doctor. Medications, diabetes, and other medical conditions may need to be diagnosed and treated promptly. Also, should you consider whether you’re getting enough sleep, the right quality, and going to bed early enough?
– If you’re going through an intensely stressful or busy period, maybe start by being kinder to yourself. Try going to bed a little earlier, be prepared to review your schedule and obligations, and start turning down some of your regular non-essential commitments. Friends need to understand if you can’t meet your usual dates during this time.
– Be firm about boundaries and the use of the word “no” so you can focus on meeting commitments you can reasonably keep. Sometimes we have to filter out the time wasters and time fillers and focus on moving forward, to stay as healthy as possible.
– Learn to ask for help. Children, partners, and colleagues can help you with some of your regular routine commitments. And sharing the load a little helps people appreciate the scope of what you do, take some responsibility, and maybe even offer good suggestions for getting things done more efficiently.
– Begin to tune in better to your warning signs that you’re doing too much. Getting overly tired, getting irritated, struggling with concentration, falling asleep are just a few indicators that you need to respect yourself and your health more.
– Fun and breaks can be a lifesaver during busy and stressful times. Doing things that you do well, that nourish and satisfy you can be a great way to reinvigorate yourself and keep you alert and alive. Yes, there may be valid reasons why you fall asleep inappropriately, but there may also be actions you can take to ensure that you are more rested, ready, and able to stay awake when you need to.
