05 strategies to prevent dozing off when studying

Education / Date: 06-15-2025

We will talk about some of the most important techniques for having a much more efficient and productive study routine.

The importance of a proper sleep routine

When we sleep irregularly, without control over the amount of rest time or period, we become much more tired and even exhausted in our daily lives .

Therefore, if you have the habit of sleeping little one day and a lot the next, without any regularity, it's time to change that. A proper sleep routine is what allows us to stay focused on our studies .

1. Avoid physical exertion before studying

Physical exertion is responsible for depleting an individual's energy . This tip does not mean that you should stop exercising. After all, physical activity is even recommended by major health organizations.

However, intense physical exercise, such as that done in a gym, on a regular basis, can end up draining your energy. And when it's time to study, you'll probably feel sleepy.

It is best to focus on light exercise, especially if you have a busy schedule. If you have little time to study and rest, strenuous activities should be avoided as much as possible.

Now, if you have more time available in your day-to-day life, you can do even more intense activities, such as weight training.

For example…

Spend the morning studying and the afternoon exercising. In this manner, your body will have enough time to recuperate before you can start studying again the following day.

2. Don't eat heavy meals before studying

If you are struggling with sleepiness while studying , it is important to avoid heavy meals that are very fatty and high in calories . Who has never felt sleepy after eating a large amount of food?

When we eat a lot of food, especially very heavy foods, such as feijoada, lasagna and similar dishes, we are forcing our body to use a large amount of processing.

After a meal, your body will be responsible for digesting food, which can consume all of your energy. This is why we feel sleepy after a heavy meal from a caloric point of view.

So, if you are studying, it is important to keep your diet as simple and light as possible. You should eat what is necessary to maintain your biological functions, without overdoing it.

And for this, routine is a relevant factor. After all, people are not always used to eating in moderation. Quite the opposite, sometimes we eat a lot out of simple gluttony. Who hasn't?

3. Avoid studying difficult subjects at night

This period should be used to study topics that are easier to understand, review and review the content. When we are sleepy and commit to studying something difficult, we are easily overcome by sleep.

This is because complex subjects can just make you feel drowsy during the day, let alone at night. Additionally, the body is at its most exhausted at the final hours of the day, and our only want is to sleep.

Therefore, to be able to produce and generate results in your studies, it is worth avoiding topics that are denser and more complex. Focus on what is simple, so that your body responds in the best possible way.

More complex content should be done at another time of day, preferably in the morning. When we are fully rested, our brain is able to process information much more easily.

4. Take a nap to study better

Some people don't have the time or resources to nap in the afternoon. However, it will be crucial to your academic success if you can. Napping in the afternoon can really change your life.

For this reason, whenever possible, take a short break of thirty minutes during the afternoon, after your main meal, for example. This sleep is responsible for replenishing our energy, which is very useful for those who are studying.

Of course, to be able to maintain this you need to have a well-organized study routine and life .

When you return to your studies after your nap, you will be much more focused. Your energy will be restored, which is perfect for those who need to study and internalize a lot of sleep.

In Eastern countries, such as South Korea, people have the habit of sleeping after their main meal. This is a powerful habit that exists for a very specific reason: napping in the afternoon is good for human health.

Of course, we can't always sleep a lot in the afternoon. If you have a busy work and study schedule, this tip will be hard to put into practice every day.

5. Go to bed earlier

Sleeping while studying can be very harmful, as it prevents us from achieving a good level of performance. That is why it is necessary to implement habits that are capable of improving our physical and energetic disposition.

One of these habits is going to bed a little earlier. This tip may seem a little simple, but it is actually powerful for studying. After all, when we go to bed a little earlier, we can rest and relax.

Additionally, by implementing the habit of going to bed earlier, you will be able to improve your sleep routine. Instead of spending hours and hours studying at night, study for just a little while and then rest.

Your performance level in the morning will be much higher, as your body will be much more rested. If you sleep late, you will most likely not be able to study at night and will feel sleepy in the morning.