How do you get through the day after no sleep?

[kneesbentarmsstretchedrararaaa]

I have had some sleep but have been awake since 4am stressing about work and my broken boiler (3 days and counting with no heating or hot water).

I've got a huge work presentation today that I need to be on form for.

As I psych myself up to go and have a cold shower .... any tips on getting through the day?! All I can think of so far is coffee and chocolate biscuits

I’m the master of no sleep as neither of my two sleep and the oldest is 3 🙃
Shower, keep off the coffee for as long as possible, fresh air when you feel yourself flagging (if possible), and snacks for energy

Morning OP

I’ve been up since 5 due to awful family drama and a snoring husband. I plan on mainlining caffeine (first cup already finished) and hoping for the best. I don’t have a presentation but I do have a mammoth assignment that’s due in tomorrow!

You can do it, you just will. It’s what we do! Is the boiler going to be fixed soon?

Good protein and carbs breakfast - eggs, bacon toast that sort of thing to give you lots of energy, coffee for the first few hours then lots of water - helps when your brain feels a bit fuzzy.

Adrenaline will take over. I remember not being abke to sleep AT ALL the night before a really important exam ( very mature student not like the all night revision sessions id pull at university) and wondering how id manage.

Coke got me through - the drink! Full fat variety. Smashed the exam.

You'll be fine

I think the adrenaline of the huge presentation will carry you through till after that then see if you can go home early and get an early night.

Oooh eggs and bacon. There's a thought. Thanks @ChilliWillies

Sorry to hear about your snoring/drama @AledsiPad. Not a good combination! Good luck with your assignment. No ETA on our boiler yet unfortunately, British Gas can't come out until 7th June apparently ... even though we have a 2-year-old in the house. We're trying to get someone else out sooner though. It's freezing!

@Wingingthis you must be the master of sleep deprivation! Fresh air sounds good, wish it wasn't raining so hard ... perhaps it'll clear up later.

I’m not a great sleeper and I think the thing is not to worry about it. The day will end and you’ll get sleep tonight. Weirdly, thinking this way makes me less tired and more accepting.

Yy to coke and adrenaline! Luckily the presentation is on Zoom so I can do it from home. It's at 3... maybe I can catch a quick nap afterwards before I get DD from nursery at 5. She goes to bed very late at the moment so this evening might be a struggle otherwise...

Tidy your bedroom and change the sheets. Make it all lovely to come back to once you get the presentation done and dusted! Looking forward to that will keep your mood and energy up.

You're right @Bigsighall. I'll sleep like a log tonight I'm sure. It's not like the early days of motherhood where you sleep for 2 hours a night, every night, for weeks if not months.

Ooh good idea @WishingHopingThinkingPraying ! We do need clean sheets on so that'll be lovely tonight.

fat salt and sugar - I get a massive cheeseburger and drink coke when I have to do this.

Hope you’re ok @kneesbentarmsstretchedrararaaa - I often end up waking at 2.30 with our toddler and not being able to get back to sleep. I find a hot shower first thing, a good breakfast and fresh air as PP has said really helps. Then save the tea/coffee for when you need a pick me up. Sweets like jelly babies help better than chocolate for me for some reason!

I know the weather’s awful at the moment but could you go for a rain walk first and then have a bath with hot water from the kettle when you get back? Maybe fill the bath before you go?

I hope everyone on this thread gets some sleep tonight!

Coffee with plenty of sugar, a shower and something greasy for breakfast - a bacon sandwich or similar works for me.

You’ll be fine once the day gets going. I often sleep badly and start the day feeling awful but once i’m out and busy it’s fine. Secret is to keep going and not slow down. Once you slow down and sit down the tiredness really hits!! Good luck 🤞

More good ideas, thanks. Just braved a cold shower. Brrrrr! I hated every second but definitely feel more alert now (and clean).

@Someaddedsugar we've been doing warm baths using the kettle for my little one but it takes absolutely ages to get enough water for even a shallow lukewarm dip! I am fantasising about a deep, hot bubble bath at the moment ... fragrant steam and actually being warm!

Pretty sure we've got some jelly babies in the kitchen somewhere

@tanqueray10 I hear ya! No option but to get on with it today, probably not a bad thing really.

After one night of no/shit sleep, you feel like shit but actually performance levels arent massively affected. Remember that when you start feeling stressed about how tired you are.
Is it possible to reduce your work today to just do the presentation?

Eat plenty of carbs, and dont overdo the caffeine as it doesnt make you less tired after the first couple of cups, just increases anxiety

Not quite the same, but on my first night shift (so a long time since my last sleep) I find small amount of protein frequently (and avoiding carbs because they make me sleepy an hour later), walking (outside if possible) and very cold Diet Coke all help.

I agree that adrenaline will carry you through. Expect a crash afterwards, though so it would be good to allow yourself to go easy afterwards.

Lots of carbs and coffeee would not work for me. Carbs make me sleepy and one coffee would be plenty for me.

Lots of water keeps me clearheaded. If you can get out of the house for even five minutes that would be good too.

When you are presenting, don't rush, take it slowly and look up into the camera (rather than at the people on the screen) every chance you get.

You will be great, go to it.

Can you snatch a 10 minute nap at some point?

Only thing I can do is sort of forget I am tired when the thought comes to mind I push it away and get on with it.