How can I read without falling asleep?

Hi Emily,

I have the same problem and it has been so frustrating all of my life. I know people that can read a book in one day, I am so envious of that. It takes me months to get through a book because I fall asleep so fast. I am going to try the water thing to see if that helps. Is there a medical name for this condition? Does anyone know?

1. Step 1
   
   Dozing off

   The best technique to make yourself stay awake while reading is to train your brain. You need to let your brain know that you aren’t reading so that you can fall asleep; you are reading because you want to know what the book says. Each time you go to with a book in your hands, your brain registers that and thinks that’s the way it’s supposed to be. You need to make it think otherwise.

2. Step 2
   
   Cramming for a test

   Start by not ever letting yourself fall asleep while reading. If you start to feel yourself drifting off, stop reading immediately and wake yourself up. Do a few jumping jacks, drink some coffee, and take a cold shower. Doing these things will tell your brain that reading shouldn’t make it sleepy, it should energize it. Eventually, your brain will learn its new clues and stop triggering the getting-ready-to- mechanism each time a book is in your hands.

3. Step 3
   
   Asleep on the couch

   The next way to keep yourself awake is to sit up straight. It is very difficult to stay awake if you are lounging in your bed-your brain thinks a bed is for sleeping in. It is also very difficult to stay awake when lying on the sofa-that’s supposed to be for relaxing. Find a stiff chair with a straight back and sit in that or even stand. I know a few people who can do it, but falling asleep while standing takes quite a bit of work. You don’t have to read this way always, but doing it for a while will teach your brain that staying awake while reading is what it’s supposed to do.

4. Step 4
   
   Sleeping

   It is important as well to read books that are interesting to you and capture your attention. It is difficult for your brain to shut down for sleep if it is consumed with what you are reading. At least until you get over the habit of falling asleep while reading, read books that really interest you and that you get into. Pay close attention to each word and don’t allow your eyes to skim the page. Think about what you are reading. Consider it. Do you think you know what is going to happen next? Be an active reader. Reading is an activity and many people forget that. While doing an activity you need to be doing something. Even if you are just sitting with a book in your hands, your brain should be doing mental gymnastics.

5. Step 5
   
   A bad time of day for her to be reading

   Reading at the proper time of day is important as well. If you read a few pages of a book and then go to sleep, you teach your brain to get ready for sleep whenever you read. Figure out what time you are the most awake and read then. For some people they are the most awake right after they wake up in the morning. Others are most awake in the evenings. If you are sleepy already every afternoon around three, you don’t want to try and read then or you will be likely to fall asleep. Take a run first thing in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down and read a little of your book. You may find you have no urge to fall asleep because your body is wide awake.

6. Step 6
   
   Reading the book aloud

   If this stuff still leaves you feeling sleepy a few pages into your book, you may want to read aloud. Yes, it sounds silly, but reading aloud triggers a different section of your brain. If you are an audible learner, this may even help you learn better. Read the book aloud to yourself in a mirror and it will be impossible for you to fall asleep.

7. Step 7
   
   Alseep in bed with his book

   Finally, you don’t have to go through these extreme measures forever. Read a book or two while following at least a few of these tips and your brain will learn reading is not sleeping time. After that, you can sit on the couch and read or not have to drink a cup of coffee mid-book. It probably still isn’t a good idea to lie in bed and read before bed because you may have a relapse. It would be like you were telling your brain to do two different things at once, to sleep in your bed and to be awake and read. This would end up making you have to start over again and it’s simpler to just avoid the situation entirely.

8. Step 8

   Are you still awake?

We recently tested a device (now commercially available) that prevents microsleep/falling asleep and makes drivers 25% to 40% more alert.  (Tests results printed in the National Defense Industry Association GVSETS 2009 Symposium.)  Drowsy drivers can't fall asleep when using this device. (This is Michigan made, by the way.) Website is:

www.colddiffusionfatiguefighter.com

A sleepy or fatigued driver is a danger to himself (or herself) and others.  Although you should never drive when you are sleepy, there is now a device on the market, the Cold Diffusion Fatigue Fighter (CDFF), that won't let you fall asleep while driving.  Unlike devices that startle you awake when you start to fall asleep at the wheel (risky in many ways), the CDFF keeps you awake and increases alertness.

# Don't drive if you know you are sleepy.

#  If you feel drowsy while you are driving, pull off the road and get some sleep.

#  Understand that if you are drowsy, even if you manage to stay awake, your reaction time and your judgment is impaired.

#  If you think that you are AT RISK of becoming drowsy, attach the CDFF to your bare shin and turn it on.  The CDFF has a programmed cycle that uses temperature variations to prevent your body from establishing the core body temperature required for sleep.  You simply won't fall asleep while using the device.  There is also a documented 25% to 40% alertness increase in fatigued individuals.

#  This device has only been tested for an eight hour period.  It is not intended to allow you to stay awake forever.  Always remember that is it dangerous to go without sleep for long periods of time.

#  If used as recommended, the CDFF will keep you from falling asleep at the wheel, make you more alert while driving, and allow you to get safely home or to the next rest stop where you can stop and get sleep.

*  This is also ideal for studying while you are tired.  Students who want to get in an extra hour or two of ALERT studying will do better with this device.

*  The temptation to use chemical stimulants as an alertness aid is made unnecessary with the CDFF.

*  Another use is for people who have very tedious monitoring work.  This increases alertness for boring, mundane tasks (documented tests available).

We recently tested a device (now commercially available) that prevents microsleep/falling asleep and makes drivers 25% to 40% more alert.  (Tests results printed in the National Defense Industry Association GVSETS 2009 Symposium.)  Drowsy drivers can't fall asleep when using this device. (This is Michigan made, by the way.) Website is:

www.colddiffusionfatiguefighter.com

A sleepy or fatigued driver is a danger to himself (or herself) and others.  Although you should never drive when you are sleepy, there is now a device on the market, the Cold Diffusion Fatigue Fighter (CDFF), that won't let you fall asleep while driving.  Unlike devices that startle you awake when you start to fall asleep at the wheel (risky in many ways), the CDFF keeps you awake and increases alertness.

# Don't drive if you know you are sleepy.

#  If you feel drowsy while you are driving, pull off the road and get some sleep.

#  Understand that if you are drowsy, even if you manage to stay awake, your reaction time and your judgment is impaired.

#  If you think that you are AT RISK of becoming drowsy, attach the CDFF to your bare shin and turn it on.  The CDFF has a programmed cycle that uses temperature variations to prevent your body from establishing the core body temperature required for sleep.  You simply won't fall asleep while using the device.  There is also a documented 25% to 40% alertness increase in fatigued individuals.

#  This device has only been tested for an eight hour period.  It is not intended to allow you to stay awake forever.  Always remember that is it dangerous to go without sleep for long periods of time.

#  If used as recommended, the CDFF will keep you from falling asleep at the wheel, make you more alert while driving, and allow you to get safely home or to the next rest stop where you can stop and get sleep.

*  This is also ideal for studying while you are tired.  Students who want to get in an extra hour or two of ALERT studying will do better with this device.

*  The temptation to use chemical stimulants as an alertness aid is made unnecessary with the CDFF.

*  Another use is for people who have very tedious monitoring work.  This increases alertness for boring, mundane tasks (documented tests available).

I don't think falling asleep while reading is caused by boredom.  I can be completely engaged in a story and the next thing I know I've woken up with the book on my face, or on my lap.  I find it very frustrating and the problem is ever increasing.

argh!  i have the same problem - i am a student too and read about half a page before i start pushing zeds (or zees if you are american!).

i do get bouts of insomnia and this is the only time i can get any study done!  I've managed to read 5 pages today but have spent about an hour asleep for each page!

i read somewhere else to eat apples and stay away from caffeine, so i'm going to try that.  i'm just thinking as well to let my lecturers know... i wasn't going to but it looks like it's a more common problem than i realised!

We recently tested a device (now commercially available) that prevents microsleep/falling asleep and makes drivers 25% to 40% more alert.  (Tests results printed in the National Defense Industry Association GVSETS 2009 Symposium.)  Drowsy drivers can't fall asleep when using this device. (This is Michigan made, by the way.) Website is:

www.colddiffusionfatiguefighter.com

A sleepy or fatigued driver is a danger to himself (or herself) and others.  Although you should never drive when you are sleepy, there is now a device on the market, the Cold Diffusion Fatigue Fighter (CDFF), that won't let you fall asleep while driving.  Unlike devices that startle you awake when you start to fall asleep at the wheel (risky in many ways), the CDFF keeps you awake and increases alertness.

# Don't drive if you know you are sleepy.

#  If you feel drowsy while you are driving, pull off the road and get some sleep.

#  Understand that if you are drowsy, even if you manage to stay awake, your reaction time and your judgment is impaired.

#  If you think that you are AT RISK of becoming drowsy, attach the CDFF to your bare shin and turn it on.  The CDFF has a programmed cycle that uses temperature variations to prevent your body from establishing the core body temperature required for sleep.  You simply won't fall asleep while using the device.  There is also a documented 25% to 40% alertness increase in fatigued individuals.

#  This device has only been tested for an eight hour period.  It is not intended to allow you to stay awake forever.  Always remember that is it dangerous to go without sleep for long periods of time.

#  If used as recommended, the CDFF will keep you from falling asleep at the wheel, make you more alert while driving, and allow you to get safely home or to the next rest stop where you can stop and get sleep.

*  This is also ideal for studying while you are tired.  Students who want to get in an extra hour or two of ALERT studying will do better with this device.

*  The temptation to use chemical stimulants as an alertness aid is made unnecessary with the CDFF.

*  Another use is for people who have very tedious monitoring work.  This increases alertness for boring, mundane tasks (documented tests available).

I am sorry to. I don't agree with what you are saying. I fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I could be sitting for 5 minutes watching tv and fall asleep. I could stand up reading and still fall asleep. It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing you still fall asleep. I am embarrased to do it in public but I still do it. I go to bed at 8:30 pm and get up at 6:30 am for work. I could be at my desk and be typing something or reading something and feel myself getting sleepy. I get up and walk but nothing helps. I can take all the preventative measures in the world but I still fall asleep.

I would recommend getting a sleep study done. I had the same problem as you and heard about this from a clinic advertising in my area about sleep disorders. There are many possibilities as to why you're not getting enough rest when you sleep 7-9 hours a night. I had/have Sleep Apnea, basically I was waking about every 2 minutes all night long. I now use a CPAP and haven't been falling a sleep in the middle of the day anymore. Other problems could be RLS (Restless Limp Syndrome). You really need to get this checked out.

As a side note both Reggie White (Pro football player) and John Candy (Comedian/ Actor)suffered from Sleep Apnea and either forgot or weren't using their CPAP machines which caused them to not get enough oxygen and have a Cardiac Arrhythmia and die as a result. So this is a bigger deal then just not sleeping good. It could be sign of other health issues.

I don't agree with what you're saying as well. I was just at Barnes and Noble today attempting to "study" for my exam tomorrow. I'm excited that I get to study and pass the test and I grab a book, sit for 5 minutes and i'm drifting off. I tried rollin up my sleeves, getting up and walking around and coming back, but still come to the same conclusion. I could be in front 20-30 people and still find myself dozing off. I recently started drinking coffee again but I quit for a good 3-4 months and still have the same symptoms.

Try shaded color glasses

I bought some yellow glasses - used for target shooting i think - the yellow helps the contrast of the text on the page and it helps keep me awake

 I had a doctor tell a lady while driving to take your shoe off. If i remember right that it has something to do with the vibration from the gas pedal. I don't know if it works but it is worth a try. Good Luck!  

I am worried that the people consulting this forum who suffer the greatest from our shared disorder haven't made it past comment # 5. Hopefully they will find the dedication to solving this problem by keeping this page stored in their "favorites." I too suffer from the same disorder and found it incredibly hard to procure a 4 year degree in the study of history which is a fancy word for: intense reading, writing and analysis. Not only does reading wear me out quickly, but pondering and researching subject matter for analysis based writing results in the deepest and most meaningful 3 to 5 hour naps. The great thing about paying for an education is that the prevalent driving economic force [money] acts as the impetus to complete even the most dire tasks. I came to find ways to effectively combat the impossible: 1. Know thy self. If you are going to find great sleep after reading a little bit, schedule your littlest bit of reading during the day before a large break in your class or homework schedule, no matter what time it might be, b/c you know it will lead you to sleep. Then, go to class or do whatever it is after this nap --> you can now get back to work and finish reading your tiny article. Schedule the rest of your reading accordingly and use some of the afore-posted recommendations 2. I don't believe in caffeine. But guess what, it's a drug. And like a doctor prescribing an Intervenes[IV] solution to ease your battle wound, if you are going to be a caffeine user, use only what's needed to get you by on a moment to moment basis. Large doses of caffeine will either make you crash harder when it wears off or it will make you immune to its helpful benefits. Plus it's very addictive. I would also suggest switching through caffeine sources throughout the week, staying cautiously away from coffee until you reach that level of necessity. I.E. Use diet soda a couple days, and green tea, then black tea and back to diet soda. When intensely reading, I would drink between 1 and 2 cans of soda per 4 hour reading period. 3. Healthy living habits actually help out. You always hear this, so brace yourself to hear it again. Eat right, feed your body (not your appetite) and work out accordingly. Monitor sugar levels and stay away from those bad carbohydrates, they are out of control. Remember human beings have made it through countless centuries without being addicted to sugar, nicotine, caffeine, narcotics, alcohol sex, conspicuous consumption or THC.. that's right marijuana! 4. If you can't afford a sleep study or the handy dandy face-mask used to curb the effects of sleep apnea do this: drink plenty of water, put a glass of water next to your bed, and set up a fan to blow air on your face in a direction that pushes air up your nostrils. This is the poor-mans way to get the benefits of the face mask. You can also try to grow up and stop cheating people and yourself as a means to get by. If you are addicted to something, it's because you are using that substance to shield yourself from a waking reality in your life, in a sense, you are cheating yourself.  Habitualizing yourself to 'get-rite' will add to your sleep apnea for the first few months, but as you become a better person those traits and sleep problems will go to the wayside. 5. I like the comments in the previous post. Listening to Mozart, something classical or even the Gregorian chant will definitely help you zone into your work. It's the great double negative: sleepy reading + sleepy music = improved concentration. See the following http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Listening-to-Mozart-Really-Improve-Concentration?&id=811554  .. Good luck and PS: I just woke up from a reading induced nap and am trying my hardest to get back on the reading train. I'll let you know how the change in habits goes.  ec

same problem. I am wondering if it has something to do with your level of health. Because I am not quite healthy and also suffer from chronic sinusitis, I don't know how associated the disorder is with these two facts. Someone plz help.