How to Stay Awake at Work or School
Fri 25 Jan 2008 – 10.51
It goes by many names, the “lull”, the “itis”, the “valley of fatigue” to name a few, but by any name we all know the feeling of getting totally exhausted during the day. Whether a student or a worker, the need to sleep can conflict directly with your day’s to-do list. I have often remarked that falling asleep in class is the oldest college tradition; fuck road trips! Of course it can be a problem because most workplaces place sleep as the #1 cardinal sin, right behind porno. Drinking? I have at various points been offered beer, wine and hard liquor during the work day, but I have never been offered a nap. And while sunglasses may hide you in a crowded lecture hall, they rarely work when the boss comes around to your desk.
OK, so how do we stay awake during the day? Aside from the obvious points about getting enough rest the night before, eating breakfast, etc. a few good tips turned up on a post from Dumb Little Man, yet another rediculously named blog about general life. Here’s one that sounds reasonable:
8. Get Help from Colleagues. If you have some buddies at work, confide in them that you need their help with staying awake. See if there are any things you can work on together. Talking with co-workers will help keep your mind engaged and alert.
I’ve been there. I’ve been there. Jessica and I used to throw crumpled up post-its at one another when we’d see the head starting to bob.
The tactic I like to employ at work, school, and on the road (although don’t fuck with falling asleep behind the wheel!) is simply to drink loads of water. Get yourself a gallon, or at least a litre bottle, and start drinking! When was the last time you fell asleep having to pee like mad? Yes, you’ll have to take a trip to the toilet every ten minutes, but the walking will also help to wake you up. And if that fails, get yourself an apple. The effort required to eat an apple is sure to keep you going, to say nothing of the natural sugars, etc. And the odd thing about apples is that you have to eat them in a certain amount of time or else they turn brown, so no dozing off between bites!
Coffee also does the trick. That is, if you don’t use it every half hour.
Check out the article and add your comments about what keeps you awake during that afterlunch dip.
posted by Scott in careers, coffee, health & fitness.
Caffeine Doubles Miscarriage Risk
Tue 22 Jan 2008 – 10.28
Eeek, no more buying coffee for the ladies, turns out caffeine can double the likelihood of miscarrying. A new study out of Chicago has shown that drinking two cups of coffee while pregnant is a terrbile thing to attempt. In fact, caffeine of any type, including soda, tea, etc. can be problematic and should be avoided.
“Women who are pregnant or are actively seeking to become pregnant should stop drinking coffee for three months or hopefully throughout pregnancy,”
—Dr. De-Kun Li, Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
So ladies take note, if you’re trying to have a baby, you need to phase out that morning cuppa and take it slow for a year or so. And chances are you’ll need that caffeine once the baby is borne, so best not to have a high tolerance, you know.
It’s a short, but interesting article.
posted by Scott in coffee, health & fitness.
Snacking Tips for All-Night Gamers
Wed 09 Jan 2008 – 22.54
In my 26 years I have spent many a night hour with friends (and alone) playing video games. It does strange things to one’s physiology — we forget to eat, ignore the need to sleep, tune out external stimuli, and somehow eradicate the need to use the bathroom. But since we’re not teenagers anymore, it might be a good idea to maintain proper diet and health, even when fiending a game to it’s end.
Check out this article about 23 snack foods that will keep you going without too much effort. Warning, this will make you hungry, so best to read it on a full stomach.
One of my personal favs:
Bagels and cream cheese. This combo is satisfying if you’re feeling more than peckish but not all-out hungry. You have lots of flavors to choose from, and you could replace the cream cheese with smoked salmon (above), or tomato or cuke slices sprinkled with a bit of salt and pepper.
posted by Scott in health & fitness, movies & media.
Tue 08 Jan 2008 – 14.00
The start of a new year brings with it new optimism and resolutions, which often mean hitting the gym. If you are among the masses that flock to the gym in January, or as I call them, “The Jannuarians”, take a moment to read this article from ABC News.
Based on Better Business Bureau findings, gyms and health clubs are often crafty buggers who have long, intricate contracts aimed at swindling you out of your cash.
One national chain holds customers to their contracts unless they are gravely ill, badly injured or move more than 50 miles from the nearest branch of the gym. Can you imagine driving 50 miles to work out? I have some exercise gear in my basement and I have a hard time summoning the willpower to use it.
The bottom line is simple: do some research and ask questions. Gyms are like any other endeavor, you don’t want to be attached if it turns out to be a bad move.
posted by Scott in health & fitness, personal finance.
– 9.00
Whoa, my life just changed. Well, sort of. It seems that a post on DietHack has just tackled 12 Myths about various beverages including coffee, soda, tea and alcohol. Of course, this is the internet so I’m not sure if the ’science’ behind this site can be trusted. I would feel more comfortable if these entries linked to independently-funded university research projects.
But check this out, did you know:
“café au lait” or coffee with milk is indigestible.
True: Because of the amount of tannins it contains (less than tea though), which precipitate casein and cause it to clot which render its digestion very difficult. Casein is a protein that is found in milk and used independently in many foods as a binding agent.
That explains why a latté goes through me like a hot knife through butter. Too much info, I know. Read the rest of the post if you’re interested.
posted by Scott in coffee, health & fitness.
10 People You’ll Find at Every Gym
Fri 28 Dec 2007 – 22.32
Many of us twentysomethings like to hit the gym after work or on weekends in an effort to maintain our youthful figures as long as possible. Gyms are bizarre places — all the wierdness of the office and school, but with far less clothing. The scents, sounds, and sights are unique, and we all have a story or two to share.
I came across this funny list of the 10 people you’ll find in any gym over at That’s Fit. Here’s a sample of the cheekiness:
3. Sparkle Motion – Remember the girls in college who used to get dressed to the hilt for an 8:00am class? Well, ten years later these same ladies are still going for cosmetic gold, primping and teasing their early morning glamour for a pre-work trip to the gym.
Read the full article for a laugh »
posted by Scott in health & fitness.
Episode 034: Marathon Memories
Mon 26 Nov 2007 – 9.18
Scott just completed his first marathon! He and Laura met up to share war stories about their lives as marathon runners.
Philadelphia Marathon
The Sheraton University City
The Underground Shakespeare Company
Drexel Players
Bat Boy: The Musical
Chip Time: 4:51:15
Powerbar Gel
Podrunner - workout podcast
Josh Rouse
KT Tunstall
Cal Tjader
The Flag of Lares County (Puerto Rican independence flag)
Shakespearean iams
Yay Cryan’s
Matt’s birthday/engagement party
Listen Now
Download Episode 034 (.m4a, 51:36, 23.2 MB)
posted by Scott in health & fitness, podcasts.
What Women Want (According to Women)
Sun 25 Nov 2007 – 15.58
It’s been nearly a month since I’ve posted any interesting resources/articles, so without further ado, welcome back.
1000 Women tell Men’s Health what works and what doesn’t. The results may shock you.
19 percent say, “He doesn’t know how to touch me,” and 26 percent complain of “the same moves, every time.”
Jeez, who knew they were so dissatisfied? This article is interesting if you, like me, question yourself way more than you should. With statistics and testimony, it’s certainly makes you re-think you’re whole approach. Which I suppose in this case is a good thing.
posted by Scott in health & fitness, relationships.
Tue 20 Nov 2007 – 14.04
As my little calendar will testify, it’s been several weeks since I’ve posted to this here blog. And we’ve been without a podcast for a while, as well.
But I have a good excuse. If you’ve been listening, you know I was training to run my first marathon, and this past weekend, I did. Check out my post from that day, and the day before.
It’s Thanksgiving week so I’ll be heading home tomorrow. This means I might actually have a minute to catch up adding some useful resources and articles on the blog. It also means that I will record a little something with my old friends. Till then, take care.
posted by Scott in health & fitness, this website.
Top Ten Worst Hereditary Conditions
Wed 26 Sep 2007 – 21.15
I suppose it’s in your twenties when one begins to think about human physiology. We are no longer invincible teens and we find ourselves more and more falling victim to the genetic foibles of our parents. So, what better way to celebrate that then to examine some of the worst conditions you are unlucky enough to inherit.
Baldness is only No. 10, so strap yourself in. via LiveScience
posted by Scott in health & fitness.