Sometimes the worst enemy is time. Stress and exhaustion makes it extremely difficult to gain any creative ideas. Even when we think that we've calculated our time correctly, project deadlines can be a real pain. This post is for you who needs to stay awake and use your time creatively.

Here are great ways to keep going strong when you have time and fatigue as your enemies.

1. Work hard, take short resting periods

You will wear your body out if you work without short resting periods. You might need to work for 2 hours and then rest for 20 minutes. Take short resting periods when you can't keep yourself focused.

2. Take a Nap

If you have the time, sleep for just 15-20 minutes, this can increase your alertness, especially if you have a cup of coffee (or any other form of caffeine) right before you fall asleep.

3. Drink Energy

Caffeine gives you energy quickly, but it also will lead to restlessness later, so if you need to gain energy for longer hours, skip the coffee.

4. You probably could expect it: Engage in some Yoga

This is an oxygen exercise:
First block your right nostril and breathe only with the left. Do this until your chest is fully expanded. Hold your breathe for a count of five, then block your left nostril and exhale with the right. Repeat a numbers of times.

5. Take a Cold Shower

Feeling cool will keep you awake, open the window or take a cold shower, or alternatively splash some cold water on your face and pulse areas of your wrists.

Also go for a quick brisk walk in the cool night air.

6. Eat Spices

Spices and herbs in your food will help you stay alert, hence increase creativity.

7. Speed! What’re you waiting for?

The quicker you work, the sooner you can rest. Just do it, don’t wait. Waiting will just build up more stress and anxiety. Make deadlines for each hour and let the race begin!

8. Chew gum

Chewing gum stimulates the muscles in your face. This activity increases the blood flow to your head.

9. Wake up!

It’s easy to start daydreaming when tired, so to wake up, have your alarm clock close to you. Without looking at the exact time, set the time. So when it gets off, it will wake you from the virtual world in your head and back to reality.

10. Bright light

Light helps you focus, even if you're in an environment where there's only artificial light available.

11. Don’t feel comfortable

Stay on your feet as much as possible. If you really need to sit then get the most uncomfortable chair you can find! Make sure that the back is upright, obliging you to sit up straight. Don't rest your head on anything, such as your hands or the desk.

12. Listen to music

Listen to music that gets you energized and if you like to get a short exercise then do a little dance to it. Singing along can also boost your creativity as it cheers you up.

Energy throughout the Day

13. Water

Drink plenty of water. Dehydration will reduce your blood volume, which can make you feel tired. Drinking plenty of water will also increase your need to go to the restroom, this will also help you stay awake.

14. Eat Energy

What you eat and how much either can make you tired or restore you. Food that are high in fat, take longer time to digest than food with low fat. Digestion consumes a great deal of energy and will make you feel tired. One way to counter this is by eating smaller portions every few hours. Some of the best high energy foods include sunflower seeds, beans, fruit/ fruit juices, eggs, yogurt and vegetables.

15. Light Exercise Breaks

Take a break by for instance taking a walk or do a couple jumping jacks to get your blood moving.

16. Get flow with Writing

Write to keep your mind busy. If you're attending a lecture or a meeting, write down everything that is said.

17. Play Games

Playing games is exciting and can be a great way to relax and gain energy. Just make sure that you don’t do it for a too long.

18. Get your Mind of it!

Are you really tired? Find new ways to work, experiment with working hours, working pace and set challenges, to make working more exciting when feeling offbeat.

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