after than before.' One important caveat: The study didn't measure whether the videos actually had those effects, only whether the participants felt that they did. The cat video fans said they felt 'significantly lower levels of depletion. In a study published in June 2015, which surveyed 7,000 cat video enthusiasts, respondents said that watching internet cat videos raised their energy levels, heightened their feel-good emotions, and minimized their negative feelings, as reported by LiveScience. (Videos of other cute animals could also do the trick, a 2012 study found.) Those are what regulate sleep and wakefulness, setting a normal schedule for our bodies and minds.Ĭats may be unusually lazy, but some people find that their furry antics provide not only a way to boost mood, but to combat sleepiness as well. In a 2014 study, those exposed to special formulations of blue light reported feeling less tired and had quicker reaction times and fewer lapses of attention during memory tests.īright light also activates the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls our circadian rhythms. That's why a dose of sunshine is ideal, while the less-bright lights of indoors aren't quite enough to keep you from dozing off at your desk. If you can, try doing a few jumping jacks or push-ups every 30 minutes.

Studies indicate that exposure to blue light during the day - a type of visible light that comes from natural sources like the sun and artificial sources like TVs, laptops, smart phones, and LED lighting - immediately improves alertness and performance.īut to keep us perky during the day, we need more than a softly glowing screen (which may be plenty to keep us wired when we're trying to sleep at night). Physical activity is a great way to fight sleepiness. If you're dragging at work, a quick step into sunshine may be all you need to recharge. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.

Things to help stay awake