All-Nighter Survival Ideas

Why these items are on the list

1. Sleep well for several nights. Well-rested people are less likely to feel the mental effects of sleep loss.
2. Nap right before you start. Sleep Foundation says 15 to 20 minutes, short of deep sleep. Casper says 10 to 20.
3. Break the night into goals. Small goals with a reward for each are meant to make the night feel more manageable.
4. Split the night into six parts. wikiHow's six: early night, dusk, midnight, twilight, dawn, morning. Give each part its own plan.
5. Turn on the overhead lights. Bright light may help you stay awake, and it may lift your mood too.
6. Sip caffeine in small amounts. Small amounts at a time work better than one big hit.
7. Check caffeine labels. Levels vary widely between brands, so add up every source.
8. Drink 8+ oz every 2 hours. Casper's aim is at least that. Caffeine may make you pee more, so drink more water.
9. Snack on protein and healthy fat. Hummus, walnuts or salmon keep you full. Apples or dark chocolate suit a sweet tooth.
10. Take Casper's active break each hour. Casper says at least five minutes, at least once an hour. Stand, stretch or walk instead of grabbing your phone.
11. Splash water on your face. A quick physical reset when you start sinking.
12. Take a brief walk. Moving counts as a break. If it's sunny and you're sleeping soon, wear dark sunglasses.
13. Try the 20-20-20 rule. Casper's version: every 20 minutes, look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
14. Talk to someone. Conversation counts as a stimulating break. It's also the fun part.
15. Skip alcohol and sedatives when possible. Both can make sleepiness worse. Check with your doctor about any medication you take.
16. Expect weaker analysis than recall. All-nighters work worse for analysis-heavy tasks than for simple recall.
17. Ask about an extension. PrairieCare says asking for more time is usually more effective than staying up all night.
18. Play Truth or Dare. Fun and creative, but wikiHow warns most dares won't work because they make noise.
19. Tell scary stories. The fright keeps you awake. Watch for guests getting a bit too scared.
20. Keep flashlights handy. If you're hosting, they help ease fears in the dark.
21. Play video games. Time-consuming and fun, though some games get boring fast or loud.
22. Put on music. Sing along if you like, though wikiHow warns it may get too loud.
23. Dim the lights near the end. If you're sleeping straight after, lower the lights. You might consider blue-light-blocking glasses near the end.
24. Find another way home. Driving on too little sleep raises the risk of a crash significantly.
25. Return to your normal sleep schedule. Fatigue, mood changes, and reduced focus can linger for several days if you don't restore your normal schedule.

Tick things off on your phone with one hand and a mug in the other. It works in a group chat too, if you're all in this together.