When you feel tired but you don't want to go to sleep yet, what methods do you have of staying awake?

I usually eat candy and drink plenty of water to keep myself awake in that kind of situation. Most of the time I feel tired without wanting to go to bed, it's because one of my friends is staying the night at my house and we want to keep playing games even though everyone else in the house is trying to sleep

Mountain Dew bro. Lots and lots of Dew lol.

In all seriousness, the best thing I've found to do is get up and move around when the fatigue really sets in. If you can get your blood pumping just a little bit, it'll really wake you up. Depending on how tired you are, it may only work for a short while, but that only means you'll have to do it a little more often than usual. I have an extremely hard time falling asleep anyway, so just getting up and walking around, or doing something to raise my heart rate for a minute or two really wakes me up like nothing else.

Playing videogames, listen to music, writing something, derping around. Sometimes more than one of those things at the same time

Playing videogames is the most efficient, as my mind blocks out anything else non-related to the game I'm playing. Listening to music can infuse me with some energy (my preferred styles tend to be hard and powerful), which makes my body awake again. Writing and derping around are just substitutes of playing videogames in an effort to make my mind go blank for a while, but they aren't as useful.

This will make me sound like an old man but when I'm tired I just go to bed. Sleep is a luxury I don't always get to see, what with two kids, a loud dog, a career, etc. I look forward to the first chance I can get to roll into bed with my wife and turn the lights off and just lie there.

Usually I think about all the things I need to do and what has to happen the next day or the next week so I lie there anyway, tired out of my mind but still awake.

When you're tired, your body is saying, "Hey, we need something here."

Why not just go to bed? You drink water when you're thirsty, you eat food when you're hungry. Why not go sleep when you're tired?

I don't really need to do anything to stay awake when I want to, whether I'm tired or not. The opposite is what makes it hard for me (trying to sleep when tired).

Since it's usually very difficult for me to sleep, I always grab the chance whenever I notice any signs of sleepiness and lie on bed peacefully while thanking God and saying to myself "FINALLY".

When I am tired, I try to stay on until I seriously can't anymore. I usually get some water, or a snack, or turn on some loud music to keep me up, but that stops working after a certain time for me. More often than not I have sleep issues though. But in the few times I've been on the computer and tired, that's how I try to stay awake.

Playing video games. Usually a game that requires my full attention where there's no room for slacking (so maybe something multiplayer based or really difficult/reaction based games). Of course most of the time I'd only force myself to stay awake if I need to cram. Taking a shower also helps with waking up and energy drinks and soda can go a long way if I have any close to hand.

I often end up tired though at least when I have school as I rarely end up getting enough sleep often averaging at 4-6 hours this past semester, sometimes less. I have somewhat of a nocturnal lifestyle which most of the time doesn't mix well with school or life in general. Still it means I'm used to dealing with a lot of tiredness.

Mynamescox44 : I should have guessed that someone would say they drink pop to stay awake I've gotten up and moved around a lot to stay awake before too, but I barely ever do that so it isn't one of my usual methods. It is effective most of the time though, instead of getting more tired from it I feel like I have more energy from it and it helps for around 15 minutes.

EX Palen : That sounds like a method I really should try, I play video games often anyway XD I find it easy to focus on a game too and most of the time I'm playing a game, I forget I was even tired in the first place and I just enjoy my time. Derping around doesn't sound like it would work too well, but it does sound fun!

Ghostbear1111 : Usually I just get ready for bed and go to bed when I'm tired too because I take my sleep seriously. However, if there's something I really want to accomplish before going to bed or my friend is still awake, I try my best to stay awake for a while longer.

A user of this : You really make the most of the energy you have!

Zlinqx : I have the same problem with not getting a good amount of sleep during the school year. It can be difficult for me to get to bed early enough. Plus whenever I set an alarm to wake up to, my brain decides to tease me by waking me up half an hour or more before the alarm :/

My problem is not falling asleep when I want to fall asleep, lol XD.

But when I want to stay awake, I usually try splashing cold water on my face. It's very hard for me to sleep when I'm cold, lol. I also try to play video games to keep me awake, and eat food to help as well. I also listen to the radio as well. But I usually never want to stay up anyways so I don't know much, sorry D:

Keeping the brain active is usually the best way. Since caffeine does not seem to affect me - I can drink a cup of coffee at 4 pm and sleep well - I found that computers help me stay alert, unlike television since it is a mostly passive activity.

I simply drink water, or do something that'll make me regain my energy back. This happens only when I still have a lot of homework to do, and I do my best not to sleep even though I'm extremely tired

I either keep on posting, talk to friends or watch something those are the most top 3 I would most likely to be doing if you see me up very late at night. When I am tired, but don't want to sleep I guess I just do things until I feel more sleepy and to be able to fall asleep. Since for most people it would be very different as in everyone has their own ways of doing that.

Lately I been having a really hard time sleeping, and sleeping well. Just a lot on my mind. Usually I try to sleep, and end up getting 2 to 3 hours, but if I don't. I just play video games, and browse the internet, maybe listen to some music.

I have found many ways to stay awake even with being tired.
1. Try black coffee instead of normal. The bitterness will help keep you awake, and the caffeine is much more affective.
2. Try binural beats. Whether you believe in them or not. They work for me. Here is a link to one I use commonly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDlhM3zqTIA It is best used with over eye headphones and a loud volume setting.

When I'm tired but don't want to go to sleep yet, what I do to stay awake is keep myself preoccupied and distracted by either eating, drinking and or playing games. I think the worst think you can do when your tired but don't wanna go to sleep is watch tv, or sit down to me the lack of interactivity puts me to sleep.

ZeeTee : I also struggle to sleep when I'm cold so that would work for me too.

janus : That's true, when your brain is being kept active it takes a lot for it to get tired. I have trouble getting to sleep when my thought process is very active.

greenluigi : Yeah I have to try hard to stay awake when I'm doing homework too late in the day, I usually end up needing to try every method I can XD

HeavyMetalGamer : I can relate, it's a struggle for me to sleep when my mind is thinking too much about certain things.

Yuna1000 : Imagining that you're leaving the world tomorrow sounds like a pretty crazy but effective method to stay awake I'm glad it allows you to get things done!

Divine Aurora : Sometimes it's hard for me to fall asleep while watching TV which I find odd. But other times it gets me to fall asleep instantly

Anytime when I'm tired but don't want to sleep is when I am in school. When that happens, I have to force myself to pay attention and I can't really do anything on trying to stay awake. The most I can do is just move around a little, but that can be difficult for me since I have to sit and listen to my teachers. 

If I was tired anywhere and I couldn't sleep because I had to go out soon, I just find hobbies to keep me occupied. Mainly, I'll read online or watch videos to stay awake.

AriaAngelDream : That happens to me in school many times because it's hard for me to get a decent amount of sleep when I have to set an alarm and wake up so early the next day. I have to put in a ton of effort to pay attention unless I'm doing guided notes. All the activity involved with writing and looking up and down helps keep me alert.

If nothing else keeps me wide awake during school, standing up to get a tissue and then blowing my nose works XD Also, I can easily stay awake when talking to my friends during class, but then I miss part of the lesson.

I have a little side window next to my desk and I always look out the window and focus my eyes on faraway objects like houses or traffic lights.

I heard that looking at faraway objects calms the eyes. Whether it's actually true or not, it works for me.


I also get less sleepy when I'm laughing or having fun so I sometimes watch some funny videos on youtube, which relaxes me as well.