Fluff up your pillow
If you're falling asleep on the job, FAA sleep expert Ron Simmons has a lot of excuses for you. Not that he's in the alibi business -- he's actually trying to make airplanes safer by keeping pilots awake. Actually, this Mr. Simmons is not in the mattress business, either.

Here are some of the factors that Simmons says can cause fatigue:

Circadian (defined) dips In the early morning and mid-afternoon, most peoples' bodies slow down and cool off. Depending on one's mother tongue, the brain may whisper "nap time" or "siesta." In these so-called "circadian dips," we find it easier to sleep than to concentrate, drive, or pilot an airplane. This natural decelation explains why truck accidents are most common between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.. "That's right in the trough" of decreased performance, Simmons says... [I'd like to finish this thought, but it's almost siesta time.]

Noise [Please speak up!] Even a moderately noisy workplace, say 70 decibel, (defined) can cause an increase in fatigue and a decrease in performance. Why? One possible explanation is that noise causes your brain to consume glucose, so less is available for other purposes, like staying awake or reading an altimeter.

Temperature Warm conditions are conducive to fatigue, Simmons says. In terms of getting drowsy, 120 minutes at 86 degrees Fahrenheit is the same as 25 minutes at 100 degrees.

Feasting on fatty foods One hour after you eat a fatty meal, your bloodstream can carry 20 percent less oxygen, meaning less oxygen and glucose can reach your brain. This causes fatigue. Eating fatty foods is "not just a long-term health issue," Simmons says. "Fat causes you to be less efficient today." (Want to read a cautionary Why File on the long-term effects on eyesight of gobbling grease?)

Fever Each degree Fahrenheit of fever cuts cognitive (defined) performance by 8 percent, Simmons says, so a flu can knock out a third of your ability to think. (Come to think of it, once you learn to fake a good sneeze, you've got a ready-made excuse for being a bit slow-witted.)

Sleep deprivation Most people don't get the eight hours of sleep they need, and that causes fatigue. Sleep deprivation adds up, Simmons says, explaining why accidents are more common on Friday.

What else can cause fatigue in pilots and the rest of us? Air turbulence and excessive workload. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Taking other drugs. Lack of exercise. Various diseases.

Before I drop off entirely, do you have any ideas for keeping me awake?

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