I consider myself a night person. I function best at night when everyone else is sound asleep. But as a man with a lot on his plate, I have to adjust from time to time. I have a day job that requires me to wake up early to allow time for preparation and travel. And after my office duty, as soon as I arrive home I have to prepare for my teaching gig. I also write content as a ministry from time to time. So I can say my circadian rhythm is a bit problematic.
But I do take rests! I know the importance of taking care of yourself before you take care of your deadlines and pending tasks. However, whenever I am caught in a web of commitments and due dates, I have no choice but to stay up later than my usual routine. My late nights become late-late nights.
Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash
During those times, I have to help myself keep up with the demands of my work by doing the following:
Coffee!
Of course, coffee is my go-to buddy whenever I have to stay up late. It gives me an extra boost and keeps me alert. I can no longer count the number of nights a single cup of coffee sustained me until I have passed my pending work.
Instant coffees are my staple. But sometimes, I buy iced coffee from McDonald's or a strong black coffee from Dunkin. I seldom buy from Starbucks but when I do, I opt for a hot cup of Caramel Macchiato.
Late Night Snacks
I believe coffee is the number one contender for a late-night buddy. But aside from coffee, I also prepare chips, bread, and chocolates. I don't mind the extra carbs, extra MSG, and the extra sugar if that's what it takes to wake me up. But I make sure it doesn't happen often. I know that extras are not always beneficial. These late-night snacks are just for emergency situations only. Wink wink.
Lively Music
I also play music in the background while doing work. I use the music as white noise so I will not doze off because of the silence of the night. Usually, I play anime music, or playlists from my favorite bands or musicals. I also play worship songs. There are numerous playlists available on YouTube and Spotify to give you a lift whenever you feel like drowsing in the middle of crucial work. Just look for the playlist that fits your mood.
Bonus: Taking showers
Guess what? I do take showers to keep my mind alert! Especially whenever I feel like I am having an episode of writer's block. A fresh shower not only refreshes my mind but also gives me time to process my thoughts and bring out the ideas that have long been buried in the recesses of my brain. Some people with whom I have shared this hack find it odd but it has been helpful to me. To each his own, I suppose.
How about you, what do you do to keep yourself up at night?
