Many people, especially students cramming for a test or people starting a business off the ground, would like a little more awake time to be able to accmplish more. It is a good wish, assuming the time awake is spent on actual productive things instead of more distractions.

Generally, here are good ways to stay awake at least a couple of hours longer:

1. Powernaps across the day. Short naps during the day will energize you physically and perhaps extend your wakefulness during the evening. Experts advise short naps of 45 minutes or less. If you feel tired after a short nap, then shorten it further next time until you find your balance.

2. Light. Keep bright lights across the room.

3. Exercise when you feel sleepy. It gets blood flowing and can energize you.

5. Work away from your sleeping area.

6. Eat light throughout the day. I don’t know the science behind this but I always successfully stay up later when I eat very light during the whole day, sometimes having only liquid items and fruits or light salads.