This is how it feels to be at your own body’s mercy. No matter how much you fight the feeling it just keeps on coming back. As if that’s not enough, every single day on the job, this is the scenario. You’re tasked to lift the same load alone: your very own eyelids.

Of course your job is on the line. Once your supervisor sees you dozing off at work, it might mean another in a series of memos about sleeping on the job.

Your life is on the line, too. With literally a blink of your eyes or a sleepy nod of your head, you could lose an arm to a conveyor or a leg to a forklift.

Sleep might be tough to beat but it shouldn’t cause you your job or life. If you’re really serious about avoiding that trip to dreamland at work, read on and learn some neat tricks.

1. Boosting it Up with Breakfast

Yes it has long become a cliché but we dare say it again: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. By sticking to healthy food during breakfast, you can expect a more alert mind and body throughout the entire day.

Bonus tip: Take note that what you need is not just energy, but energy that lasts for a long time. For this reason you must eat a meal that’s a combination of carbohydrates and protein. You see, while carbohydrates build up energy, protein gives you endurance.

2. Lighter Lunches

No, it’s not the position of the sun in the afternoon. Neither is it the absence of the moon. Yes, afternoons may bring with them that lulling warmth but that heavy meal you wolfed down at lunchtime is all to blame for your drowsiness.

Now it makes perfect sense why skipping breakfast is a capital sin. Not only do you miss stocking up on energy-boosting food at the beginning of the day, you also tend to make up by eating a lot in the afternoon. Beware because not only is this a perfect recipe for that lulling sensation after lunch, you also get a big bonus: more calories that could likely become body fats.

Bonus tip: Get out those carrot sticks and fruit shakes. The best way to keep lunch light is to snack on veggies and fruits throughout the day.

3. H2O to the Rescue

Apparently when they say water is life, they also mean consciousness and being awake. Well, in the workplace, dozing off could be the end of your career or your life so it does make sense, right? So flush that drowsy feeling with a good dose of fluids.

Bonus tip: If you find it tedious to drink several glasses of water in a day, try squeezing lemon, orange or any fresh fruit on your drinking water. That extra zest from the fruit should give your throat that thirsty sensation, making you drink more than your usual amount throughout the day.

4. Making Melodies

Take it from Maria. If the hills are alive with the sound of music, surely, you’ll be more alive and, well, awake with a radio by your side or earphones buzzing in your ears. But before you get too excited about creating your own playlist, check first with your Human Resources department or safety coordinator if you’re allowed to listen to music while working.

Bonus tip: If listening to music is not taboo at your workplace, you should prefer upbeat music or songs over mellow ones for obvious reasons.

5. Air in your Head

Going outside might help you fight the urge to sleep. Don’t just plant yourself in your workstation or stay cooped inside a warehouse or confined space all day. Get out and get some fresh air. This should stimulate better blood circulation, making you feel more awake and even healthier.

Bonus Tip: While you’re at it, go for a walk outside. By stimulating some of your muscles, you send more nutrients to different parts of your body.

6. That Minty Feeling

If fresh air doesn’t combat sleepiness, you might actually need fresher breath. Yes, you read that right. By treating yourself to gum, mints, or hard candy, you can ward off sleep. The same thing could happen if you gargle with mouthwash.

Bonus tip: Avoid sugary candies. Remember that you’re after mint and not sugar.

7. Skipping Sugar

Be wary of snacks sold from vending machines. Most of them have high sugar content. While you think a sugar rush can keep you awake, its effect usually lasts for only half an hour. So instead chomp on snacks with both complex carbohydrates and protein.

Bonus tip: Some great examples of the ideal snack include whole wheat bread with low-fat cheese and whole grain cereals with yogurt.

8. Shooting Yourself with Caffeine

If mint in your mouth or a nutritious snack in your stomach just doesn’t do the trick, then maybe caffeine will. So go for a shot of espresso or a glass of chilled mocha. Whether it’s hot or cold, a generous serving of coffee should be able to keep you from dozing off on the job.

Bonus tip: Go easy on the caffeine, though. You don’t want to get all hyperactive. Neither do you want to be dependent on caffeine to stay awake everyday on the job.

9. Better Beauty Rest

If you think you can get away with having only two hours of sleep, think again. While a lot of the tricks above might work well with you, the most effective trick is still the most practical and basic: get enough sleep every night.

Bonus tip: A good night’s sleep that lasts for seven to 10 hours is recommended for adults to stay alert during the day.

Related Links:

Federal Laws on Employee Breaks: The Good and Bad News

Fatigue Cause of More and More Transportation Accidents

Top 7 Tips on Using the 2006 Census to Improve Workplace Safety