Tips for staying awake during meetings??

[DisneyLovingMama]

So, I was in a dreadful, three-hour meeting today. For the first 90 minutes, two people were droning on and on about highly technical stuff that I didn't understand and was not part of my job (nor would I want it to be). The room was super warm (upwards of 80 degrees), and there were no windows in the conference room.

I could not stay awake. Seriously. I was constantly yawning and fidgety and probably completely rude. I tried to be discreet, but am not sure if I succeeded. Probably not, or I wouldn't be writing.

I tried to stay still, but then I was afraid I would actually nod off. Once these two people stopped talking and session became more interactive, I was fine and wide awake.

This has happened a few times to me, mostly in meetings (in this same conference room) that are two warm and crowded.

So, what can I do? Anyone have any tips? I had a diet soda, so it's not like I was caffeine-deprived. As I progress in my company, I will need be in more meetings like this and really need to be able to control my sleepy reactions.

The only thing in my favor is that our CEO suffers from narcolepsy.

 

[chell]

Let me know if you find anything that really helps.

It is terrible when you catch yourself almost asleep.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I used to fall asleep in class all the time in college. If it wasn't something that interested me or wasn't going to be tested on I would just zone out.

I would try to focus on things- like counting the number of specks on a linoleum tile, or plan the rest of my day in my head, or pick a person in the room and think about who they really are- make up a story about them- what's their family like? Use your imagination!

If it's appropriate to be writing on a piece of paper, doodle things or write down a to-do list (we've all got a list like this that we've been meaning to get to).

Just try to keep your mind active or focused on SOMETHING.

 

[Honu]

I focus on my breathing. I count to 5 on the inhale & exhale. It keeps me from yawning.

 

[MagicalMom]

Why not try planning a Disney trip in your head?

 

[KarenAylwood]

Why not try planning a Disney trip in your head?

Ooo Ooo Ooo I got another one!

In your head pretend you are riding through a Disney ride and see if you can remember everything in the order it comes!!

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Wow, thanks for all the great idea...z..z.z.zzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[chell]

Ooo Ooo Ooo I got another one!

In your head pretend you are riding through a Disney ride and see if you can remember everything in the order it comes!!

Just my luck that is about the time they ask me a question.

 

[DMickey28]

I always remember to bring a full drink in, bottle of water or something. If I run out of the drink, forget it but it helps!!

 

[Zurealsoon]

narcolepsy....My Mom suffered from this , so much so she worried about dozing off while driving. She always carried a glass of ice and would suck on an ice cube to stay awake.

 

[Sparx]

when I'm bored/on the verge of sleep, I do math in my head. like I'll count the celing tiles and find out how many sq feet the celing is with an estimate of how large each tile is. It keeps me awake. (but then again, I'm probably just a big geek lol. )

 

[jfulcer]

Get a good night's rest? That generally has a lot to do with it.

You could always excuse yourself and go to the restroom for a bit. A little walking might help break the monotony.

 

[Stacerita]

Try to bring in someting to suck on....tic tacs, cough drops, mints or something like that. That might help you focus on something other than how sleepy you are.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Get a good night's rest? That generally has a lot to do with it.

You could always excuse yourself and go to the restroom for a bit. A little walking might help break the monotony.

This is exactly what I should have done - I was too afraid of making a spectacle of myself. I'd love to get a good night rest, but it's not happening lately.

Thanks to everyone for all of their ideas. I have another 3-hour meeting on Friday - I'll let you know how many tiles I've counted, where I'm going on my next vacation and deep breaths I take, after that meeting.

 

[Barb D]

Take notes.

I have this problem, too. My mind wanders so easily, even if the topic is relevant. The only thing that can keep me focused is taking notes.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Boy do I feel for you! I HATE it when I have to struggle to stay awake in a meeting or class or whatever. Once in college I actually nodded off and woke up suddenly, making an awful "snort" sound! Talk about embarrassing!!

Now when I think I may get sleepy I bring along something to suck on, like Tic Tacs, or, if appropriate, a large cup of Diet Coke with plenty of ice to discreetly suck on throughout the meeting helps a LOT. If you have to, take a bathroom break--that would be less embarrassing than actually nodding off!

Good luck!

 

[VickiVM]

If your meeting is after lunch, then don't have a heavy meal. The hour or two right after lunch always seems to drag endlessly because your body is working hard to digest and not so much on thinking/focusing.

Also, Excedrin for Tension Headaches is not also excellent to get rid of headaches in a snap, but gives you a noticeable caffeine 'kick' for about 30-60 minutes.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I agree with Barb D - take notes so you can pay attention. I did something similar on Monday, except I was the one at the computer making the changes. All of a sudden, I heard, "Mary Jo? Mary Jo?" and realized that I had blanked out. First time that had happened to me, & I realized I really needed to destress and get a good night's sleep - lol

 

[powellrj]

I just came from 4 days of meetings starting at 7:30 am -5:00 with a 1/2 hour off for lunch. It was awful. The things that kept us going were, strong mints to suck on, ice chips, and hand cream. When we felt sluggish, we would whip out the aroma therapy hand cream and it would give us a little boost.

 

[pogo791]

Oh, can I relate to this problem. I'm one of those who also tends to begin nodding off when enclosed in a small room with a crowd of other people, and some person is droning on and on and ... (snore) ... ... oh, where was I?

Some good points have already been made. Suck on something, take notes (not necessarily about what the meeting is about; I do lots of other stuff in some of the meetings I go to), drink water, take a toilet break. Find some reason to intervene: ask a question to break the monotonous flow.

Preparation is an important point. Avoid those heavy lunches about an hour or two before the meeting. Hamburgers, fries and other greasy foods really get the blood flowing down towards the stomache, away from the head.

The best way to stay awake (with the exception of avoiding the meeting all together!) is to have some input in its planning or organization. Point out to the organizers that three-hour meetings without a break are simply not productive. Shorter presentations and more interaction will also cut down on the amount of snores around the table. Having coffee, tea and soft drinks - and especially fruit - will give people something to do if they feel themselves getting drowsy.

If all else fails, I fall back on something that unfortunately only works in rooms where you can take the back row. I've taken in non-meeting-related papers and either read or worked on them. I've also worked on my laptop through quite a few long-winded meetings. (Sometimes I'll even bring out that old reliable, Solitare.

If you really want to play dirty, arrange for a call on your mobile telephone, so that you can rush out of the meeting on a Very Important Matter ...