Why Do I Keep Falling Asleep at My Desk? And What To Do About It

Depleted energy levels and daytime fatigue plague many people in America. It is a huge issue that impacts people’s quality of life and work. For some people, this issue can become extreme. Many workers are struggling with fatigue to the point where they’re nodding off during the workday, and waking up wondering “Why am I falling asleep at my desk?”. In this article, we’ll explore why you might be falling asleep at your desk and what you can do about it. 

I Keep Falling Asleep at My Desk—Why?

If the statement, “I keep falling asleep at my desk.”, applies to you, here are a few reasons why this might be happening. 

1. High Sleep Debt

If you are chronically short on sleep, your body might try to catch up at every opportunity, leading to extreme fatigue and falling asleep during work. 

2. Specific Health Condition

Health conditions like sleep apnea or narcolepsy can lead to unintentional workplace dozing.

3. General Poor Health

If your health is poor due to stress, poor diet, or other factors, this could lead to falling asleep at your desk. 

 

8 Ways to Stop Falling Asleep at Your Desk

1. Seek Medical Advice

An inability to stay awake could stem from underlying health conditions. So, if this is happening regularly to you, please make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you have a condition like narcolepsy or sleep apnea, or if there is something else going on with your health, like a vitamin deficiency. 

2. Take Ginkgo Biloba

With their patented non-melt formula, Seattle Gummy Company’s (SGC) Mocca Shot energy gummies are ready whenever you need a boost of energy. Each pack contains two gummies with 100 mg of caffeine each. These delicious energy gummies are chock full of other energy-boosting ingredients like the Chinese herb ginkgo biloba and B vitamins. Ginkgo biloba boost circulation to the brain, which helps with brain function and memory. And, B vitamins feed your brain and nerves and help your body make energy. Mocca Shots give clean, steady, non-jittery energy so you can get ____ done!

3. Try to Improve Your Sleep

We know this can be easier said than done, but poor sleep is a simple explanation for falling asleep at your desk. So try SGC’s Slumber Shot sleep gummy and try to practice good sleep hygiene. Helpful sleep hygiene practices includes:

• Going to sleep and waking up at the same time.

• Putting down screens an hour before bed.

• Avoiding spicy, fatty, and sugary foods before bed.

• Unwinding with relaxing activities like reading, listening to music, or taking a hot bath. 

 

4. Fuel Your Body With Healthy Food

Food contains calories that our bodies convert into fuel or energy. The food we eat (or don’t) directly impacts our energy levels. Healthy foods make the best fuel for our bodies and give us the best quality of energy. Eating healthy is a journey that can start with a single step. Try choosing healthy snacks, or start by making one meal a day healthy. Soon, you’ll be feeling the effects of your healthy diet and eager to try more. Avocados, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, dark chocolate, and beets are all energy-boosting foods. 

5. Stay Well Hydrated

Dehydration can lead to impaired mental function and fatigue, even if it’s only a mild case. Start hydrating first thing in the morning, and try to drink lots of water throughout the day. We know it’s annoying to go to the bathroom more, but this is a potentially effective technique to help you have more energy. 

6. Get Enough Exercise

Exercise gives you energy by stimulating the tiny cells called mitochondria that make energy for your body. When you exercise frequently, this increases the health of your mitochondria and encourages your body to make more of them. Your energy levels are directly related to the quantity and health of your mitochondria.  

7. Try Napping On Your Lunch Break

Taking a short nap during your workday (even in your chair!) can do wonders in restoring energy levels. Give yourself a 5-10 minute window after your nap before work so you can fully wake up before starting the rest of your day. Another helpful practice is the coffee nap. Drink a caffeinated beverage before your 20-minute nap, and you will wake as the caffeine is starting to kick in. 

8. Breathing for Energy

Breathing deeply brings more oxygen into your system and can help banish fatigue and increase mental clarity. The great thing about breathing exercises is that you can do them at your desk. If you’re worried about the noise, consider playing some soft music. Yoga teaches different breath techniques, many of them energizing. Try these yogic breathing techniques the next time you feel like falling asleep at your desk: alternate nostril breathing, breath retention, or breath of fire.