How to Survive Staying Up All Night and Working the Next Day

At some point in the next few months you may have a need to pull an all-nighter. Maybe you are cramming for tests or taking on a few classes this Summer. Or possibly you have a big work project that you have to get done. Then there are just those folks who want to play hard and work hard. I have the tools you need to survive being up all night and functioning the next day.

According to Cosmopolitan, here is how to survive the wee hours, ace your test in the morning, and make it through the next day when you are too slammed to sleep. Doctors say it is okay to stay up all night every once in a while. Just be cautious if you are depressed or anxious or have a weak immune system. Your stress levels increase by 14 percent with every hour of sleep you lose, upping your risk for moodiness, depressive episodes and illness. But if you must make it with less sleep and still be able to function the next day, here is how to do it:

Making it From Dusk to Dawn

Refuel regularly
Think of tonight as a long hike and bring plenty of snacks for the road ahead. Choose a snack with protein and fiber, like veggies and hummus. You will keep your energy up without allowing your blood sugar levels to drop.

Sip coffee
In moderation, java is a safe caffeine fix. Do not use caffeine pills, which are not FDA regulated. Don't use prescription medication like Adderall, or herbal energy supplements either. Plus, recent studies link energy drinks to heart palpitations and ER visits, so steer clear of those, too.

Hydrate
Drink a glass of chilled water for every cup of coffee you down. The cold liquid is refreshing, gives you energy and could make you sharper. In a new study, people who drank water, pretest, improved their reaction times.

Bank some sleep
Studies show that kids who sacrifice shut-eye for studying perform poor in class and on tests the next day. Why? Your body needs sleep to consolidate the memories you make as you cram. Even an hour or two can boost your performance.

The Next Morning

Switch to tea
Your all night coffee binge has likely left you feeling a bit frantic. You do not need another cup. Tea is generally lower in caffeine than coffee, and the compound theanine in tea has been found to help people relax and focus at the same time.

Be cautious
Sleepless nights can cause a short-term feeling of euphoria the next morning. A second wind seems like a score, but it can compromise brain function and set you up for risky behavior. Put off big decisions until you rest.

Power nap
You nailed the presentation. Now hit the sack for one to two hours. The nap will help you bounce back, but do not stay up all night more than twice a semester. Sleep disruption can lead to weight gain, mood disorders, and serious health issues.