SAEDNEWS: Drowsiness while studying can happen to anyone; it has various causes, but fortunately, there are also solutions to overcome it.
According to SAEDNEWS, You’re probably familiar with the feeling of fatigue while studying. Many of us get tired much faster when we start reading or studying compared to doing other activities, quickly losing focus on the words and sentences. If you’re one of those people and don’t know why this fatigue happens during study sessions, read this section to the end to understand the reasons behind it and discover effective solutions for this common issue.
Did you know that studying continuously without taking breaks tires your brain and causes you to lose focus? When this happens, it feels like the words are swimming in your mind and nothing makes sense, with everything seeming disconnected. This occurs because the human brain makes up only about 2% of body weight but consumes 20% of the body's energy. The more you use your brain, the more energy it consumes, resulting in less glucose reaching other parts of the body, which leads to intense fatigue after several hours of thinking and studying. The appropriate solution is to eat nutritious and wholesome foods to help you sustain your energy for longer periods.
Many people neglect their meals during exam periods and focus solely on studying. Your three daily meals should not lack the nutrients that provide fuel and energy for your body. Therefore, it’s better to avoid processed foods like pasta or fast food during this time, as they can drain your energy.
Eat foods that benefit your brain and enhance your concentration and memory. For example, fruits like blueberries or pumpkin seeds are good choices. Salmon, soy, and chia seeds also provide sufficient energy to your body, and consuming whole grain bread is very beneficial as well.
You surely know that the place where you study is very important. For instance, you shouldn’t study in bed because it will make you sleepy and you won’t have full concentration. You also need to pay attention to the comfort of your study spot. Some people have a habit of playing music while studying. The music you choose shouldn’t slow you down. So, if you feel the problem is with your study environment, try to create a fresher setting. For example, this time you could try studying at a café, in a completely quiet place, or at the library.
Are you going through a difficult time and constantly have negative scenarios in your mind? When you always think about the future and create negative thoughts, unnecessary stress enters your body, occupies your mind, and drains your mental energy. Overthinking negative and stressful matters causes you to lose the energy needed for tasks like studying. Try to always see the positive aspects alongside the negative ones.
There might be a physical issue in your body causing mental fatigue, making you feel sick, or needing supplements to boost your energy. Don’t ignore these signs and do your best to strengthen your body so you can be in better condition while studying.
Foods high in fat make you feel sleepy and sluggish, so to avoid feeling tired during study sessions, consume a balanced diet rich in nutrients—especially foods high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins that can help boost your energy while studying.
The main reason for feeling sleepy while studying is not getting enough sleep at night. You should aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep to avoid feeling drowsy during the day.
Even if you couldn’t get enough sleep at night, a short daytime nap can help you restore your energy and feel more refreshed.
One reason you may feel sleepy while studying is dehydration; lack of water causes energy loss. Therefore, drink about 2 liters of water daily to help eliminate this feeling of sleepiness.
To refresh yourself during study sessions, get up, move around, and do some brief physical activity to increase blood flow in your body. Even a 10-minute walk, even indoors, can help you feel more energized.
Many people believe you should study for 5 to 6 hours straight, but as mentioned by Namnak, it’s impossible to maintain focus for that long. So, get up every once in a while, do some breathing exercises, and take about a 20-minute break every two hours to recover.
Sometimes, if you focus on just one subject or chapter for a long time, you may feel sleepy. Therefore, be sure to choose a variety of topics and concentrate on them to prevent your mind from becoming bored or monotonous.
One of the main reasons for feeling sleepy during study is being too comfortable. The key point is not to study in your bed. Make your study environment dedicated only to studying and separate it from your sleeping and relaxing areas. Ideally, sit at a desk and chair, keeping yourself upright and alert. You can even change your study location daily to add variety, but the place where you study shouldn’t be overly comfortable.
One of the most important ways to feel refreshed is to wash your face once to eliminate the feeling of sleepiness. This is one of the best methods to reduce drowsiness. You can also brush your teeth to see if it helps increase your alertness.
