To stay awake when tired, several practical strategies can help boost alertness and reduce sleepiness. These include staying hydrated with water or herbal tea, taking short breaks to move around or walk to increase blood flow, splashing cold water on your face, and keeping your environment cool and well- lit. Avoiding sugar, which can cause energy crashes, and interacting with others can also help maintain wakefulness. Caffeine can improve alertness but should be used moderately and not relied upon excessively. Taking short naps of about 15-25 minutes can also restore some energy without feeling groggy afterward. Engaging your senses with music or changing tasks regularly can keep your mind active. Lastly, breathing exercises and massages on pressure points can provide quick energy boosts. Quality rest ultimately remains important for sustained alertness and health.