From the newborn trenches

These recs are very short-term measures to take when you’re truly desperate and need to wake up a bit, not so much strategies to employ continuously throughout the day/week/etc:

•drink something really, really cold

•listen to a comedian you enjoy; if you need to be focused on a specific task, high-energy music

•step outside, if accessible

•cold washcloth on the neck, forearm, etc.

•sniff an alcohol wipe lol

These recs are gentler and have helped make sleepy days less uncomfortable:

•nature sounds (like tree.fm) as background noise

•always including protein and/or fat when eating – eating high-carb foods without protein or fat can cause a more significant blood sugar spike, followed by a blood sugar crash, both of which can exacerbate sleepiness

•stay hydrated (ugh sorry)

•essential oils on the temples or wrists – do some amateur research on invigorating scents & appropriate application

•begin the day with time outside or even next to a window

•consider eating small meals more frequently to prevent the feeling of overfullness that can add to drowsiness