By Kate Angelo, @thekateangelo
Is fatigue an issue for you as a writer? Do you find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open when you’re trying to work on your book? Yeah, me too. I work long hours and after about 5 of those long hours, I seem to hit a wall called: FATIGUE.
But I’ve figured out a hack to get myself out of “Sleepy Time Kate” and into “Active Alert Kate.” And let me tell you this is a dead-simple trick you’ll have to try.
TL;DR – Look Up.
That’s about as simple as it gets, right?
Okay, you’re probably wondering what I mean so let me explain the science a bit.
Our visual system plays a critical role in regulating our sleep-wake cycle. When we’re exposed to sunlight, our brain releases the hormones serotonin and cortisol. These hormones help us stay alert and awake. Of course, when we’re exposed to darkness, our brain produces melatonin which is a hormone that makes us feel sleepy and lethargic.
This is why I tell people I’m like a bird. Put me in the dark and I’m out until the lights are back on.
But according to recent brain science research, we can hack our brain right out of this. You see, our visual system is tied to our state of alertness. Meaning the position of our eyes creates a signal between the brain stem circuits and other neural circuits in our brains to tell us we’re either alert or we’re tired.
Look up – wakeful signal.
Look down – fatigue signal.
In fact, scientists believe that it’s not only the light signals from your computer or phone screen that disrupts our sleep-wake cycle making it harder for us to stay alert and focused during the day—it can be that we’re constantly looking down.
By lowering our chin and looking down, we’re sending sedative type signals into the deeper parts of our brains. This recurring signal will cause a melatonin release and you’ll begin to feel sleepy.
Try this the next time you’re feeling tired. Look up toward the ceiling. You don’t want your chin all the way back but raise your eyes to see the ceiling with a slight chin tilt. Hold this for 10 to 15 seconds to trigger the areas of your brain involved in keeping you awake and alert. (Please don’t try this if you get tired while driving!)
Another simple thing you can do is to position your computer screen or other workspace at eye level or above, so that you’re forced to look up and raise your chin while working. I’m talking to you, people who stare down at your laptop screen all day!
Of course, this is just one small part of a larger strategy for improving your productivity and overall health. But by incorporating this simple hack into your daily routine, you may be surprised at how much more alert and focused you feel, and how much more you’re able to accomplish in a shorter amount of time.
If you’re struggling to stay alert and productive, remember that looking up is a route into increased alertness and looking down is a route into sleepiness.
Give this brain hack a try and let me know if it works for you!
Attacked in the mountains—with no memory of why…
She’s the only witness to see the face of a killer, but a deadly attack leaves Belinda Lewis unable to remember even her own name. She’ll have to rely on her rescuer, FBI special agent Jonah Phillips, to survive repeated attempts on her life—but she doesn’t know he’s in hiding because his description matches the killer’s. Can they unmask the true criminal to clear Jonah’s name and save both of their lives?
Kate Angelo once sold a lion to a circus in Shreveport after her mom realized lions weren’t great house pets. Growing up, Kate was a bookworm, dog groomer, exotic pet wrangler, horse trainer, cowgirl, and teenage pool shark. After aging out of foster care, Kate cultivated her inner computer nerd and worked as a web programmer. During a visit to Australia, Kate encountered Jesus and left the corporate world to pursue a life in ministry.
From her home in Southwest Missouri, Kate serves alongside her husband, strengthening and encouraging marriages and families through their nonprofit ministry. And after raising their 5 children, they are now fluent in both sarcasm and eye rolls.
Kate is a romantic suspense author, a coffee addict, tech guru, productivity enthusiast, expert knitter, avid boater, dog lover, prayer warrior, and known klutz. With Willow, her long-haired chihuahua taking up half her desk space, Kate writes thrilling stories with flawed characters who encounter hope and healing while ducking danger along the way. Connect with Kate at https://kateangelo.com/