ACTUALLY, DON'T ORDER LIKE 6 VENTI BLACK-EYES
Coffee does its job best when you drink small amounts of it frequently. Scientists recommend 20-200 mgs of caffeine an hour. A grande Starbucks coffee has about 330 mgs. If you overcaffeinate, you're probably going to crash earlier than anticipated. I know chugging coffee is part of the manic fun, but let's look at this from an image perspective. Can you really imagine Hemingway holding a Trenta?
TAKE A WALK
Natural light, cold air, and physical movement are all good things. When you move your body, your muscles automatically give feedback to your brain, improving alertness. Natural light clues your brain in to the fact that it's work time, not sleeping time.
NAP, BUT NOT TOO MUCH
A short nap can really improve your energy levels, but a longer one can plunge you into those deeper, darker parts of the circadian rhythm, making you feel like shit when you wake up. You want the limit the magic to roughly 20 minutes. If possible, don't just head-to-desk this. Pull down the shades, get under the covers. Make the whole thing as dark and comfortable as possible. Apparently the optimal time for this is in the morning or early afternoon, but my life is not optimal and I'm guessing yours isn't either, so take it when you can get it.
SUGAR'S THE REWARD
I know a lot of articles about upping energy levels talk about carrot sticks and nuts and all that. That's so great, but let's be realistic here. You're writing a novel! You deserve cupcakes and seasonal liquid sundaes from Starbucks. Have them, but have them at the end of your writing day so that you don't have to deal with the blood sugar crash while you're trying to be productive. And make that Pumpkin Spice Latte decaf.
How are those word counts coming? Do you know of any magic tricks for staying awake?
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