New Year's Eve: 5 Tips To Last Until Midnight Without Falling Asleep

For seniors and early risers, it's hard to celebrate New Year's Eve without yawning or snoozing! If you want to stay awake and enjoy the party, follow our 5 tips to make it to midnight without falling asleep.

1- Get a good night's sleep the night before

The first of the 5 tips to make it to midnight without falling asleep on New Year's Eve is to anticipate party fatigue. In particular, you need to care for your sleep in the days leading up to the big day.

Make sure you get enough sleep, at least 7 to 8 hours, the night before December 24 or 31. A good night's sleep will also help you to evacuate the stress and fatigue that we often accumulate at the end of the year and that prevent us from enjoying New Year's Eve.

During the two or three days leading up to the holiday, you can also take care of your lifestyle by making an effort to eat a balanced diet and walk at least 30 minutes a day.

2- Getting ready for the big day

The second of the 5 tips to make it to midnight without falling asleep on New Year's Eve is to prepare yourself during the day. But beware: this doesn't mean you have to guzzle gallons of coffee during the day on December 24 or 31!

Rather than relying on caffeine, which may give you a hangover at the wrong time, it is better to take vitamin C (unless medically contraindicated).

The ideal program for the day consists of:
- have a light and preferably protein-packed lunch at noon
- Take a 30-minute walk around 2 p.m.
- take a 20 to 30 minute nap around 5pm if the evening starts at 8pm
- take a vitamin C tablet around 7pm if the evening starts at 8pm
- while waiting for New Year's Eve to begin, do screen activities such as playing games on a smartphone or tablet to expose yourself to blue light and delay the secretion of melatonin

3- Avoid excesses

Of course, a Christmas or New Year's Eve wouldn't be successful without a hearty menu and champagne or good wine... However, if you want to make it to midnight without falling asleep, you should absolutely avoid excess.

The combination of fatty food and alcohol is unmatched in causing premature sleepiness. So the third tip to know is to eat slowly by chewing well and to moderate your alcohol consumption.

If you drink champagne or wine, remember to alternate each glass of alcohol with a glass of water to limit dehydration.

4- Stay active during the party

Another one of the 5 tips for making it to midnight without falling asleep is to stay active during the party. To avoid a nose dive, resist the urge to sit in a comfy chair!

Instead, make an effort to stay up, dance, talk or have fun with your friends. If games are offered before the meal, don't hesitate to participate. Any activity, even a playful one, will keep your brain alert.

And if your hosts are busy in the kitchen, offer to help set and decorate the table or serve the food.

If you are the host, create a festive atmosphere with lots of lights and upbeat music. Bright lights and upbeat music are two tips that can help you stay awake...

5- Get some fresh air

Christmas and New Year's Eve are usually held in a closed space with guests, which quickly raises the room temperature. A warm and humid atmosphere is conducive to drowsiness.

The last of our 5 tips for making it to midnight without falling asleep is to go outside for some fresh air. A nice breath of fresh air on the balcony or in the garden will help you wake up and regain your energy.

If you don't have the opportunity to go out during the party, simply go into the bathroom to sprinkle your face with cold water. Guaranteed to give you a boost of energy!