There are so many downsides to working all night long, but it’s something that a lot of people — doctors, nurses, police officers, security guards, bartenders, call center agents, etc. — have to face if they want to be able to put food on the table. One of the common problems shared by night workers is getting easily drained.

Let’s face it — our bodies are designed to be active during the day and slumbered throughout the night. So in other words, individuals who work graveyard shifts are going against the plan of nature. It’s exactly for this reason why it does not really come as a surprise why there are so many issues that you can face when staying up all night.

For most people who work night shifts, it can be very challenging to keep their energy levels in the upper range, just enough for them to remain mentally alert and physically active in order to keep themselves from committing mistakes at the workplace and eventually potentially getting fired or sued.

If your work requires you to stay awake while everybody else is having sweet dreams (or nightmares, who knows?) and one of your biggest problems is to keep yourself from staying energized, fret not. The following are some of the smartest steps that you may take to have your body re-energized as you wait for the sun to come up:

Take a Hot Shower

Is there a shower facility at work (lucky you!) or your office right next to a 24-hour gym at which you have a membership? Then consider taking a quick hot shower during your break. A lot of people who work night shifts and have access to a hot shower swear that it is effective in keeping themselves awake mentally and physically.

Drink a Hot Cup of Green Tea

While it may seem like a strong cup of coffee is the best friend of a night shift worker like you, the fact is it can eventually be your worst enemy. In time, even high doses of caffeine won’t be able to restore your energy. What you need to do is employ caffeine in small doses only, such as by brewing yourself a cup of green tea every now and then.

Stay Hydrated

Believe it or not, you don’t really have to rely on caffeine just to reinstate your lost energy levels. Oftentimes, grabbing a tall glass of water is enough to do the trick. Actually, water has energizing properties. And since the human body consists of 50 to 65 percent water, staying hydrated can help keep you functioning optimally while working at night.

Have a Quick Workout

One of the fastest ways to get your energy levels up while you are slaving the night away is to have a short burst of exercise the minute that you feel your liveliness is MIA. Something as simple as doing 12 to 15 repetitions of push-ups, leg lifts or crunches is usually enough to invigorate you. You may also take several flights of stairs.

Snack on a Protein-Rich Treat

Aside from building muscles, protein also helps supply your body with a steady source of energy. It’s exactly for this reason why it is a good idea for a night shift worker like you to snack on something that contains high quality protein. A good example is a small tub of Greek yogurt. A tablespoon of peanut butter is another one.

Have you heard or read about some other tips on how to have the body re-energized during night shifts? If so, feel free to share them in the comments section below so that those who have a hard time staying awake and energized while working in the evening may give them a try, too!