I get caught napping!

A new study reports that 4 percent of drivers admit to falling asleep behind the wheel. Scary, huh? Sometimes it turns into a race to get to your destination before you nod off, especially when there's nowhere to stop and grab a coffee, or just get out of the car and stretch.

That's when we resort to other wake-up techniques like chewing gum or slapping our cheeks. How about opening the window to get a big blast of air? Sometimes turning up the radio to top volume and trying to out-sing Celine Dion is a good waker-upper.

But when you're tired in the office, you just can't do the same things. Imagine if your boss walked in and caught you slapping your own cheek. Definitely not the work behavior you want to be remembered for. Likewise for chewing gum and singing at the top of your lungs.

Here are some more work-appropriate choices to give yourself a burst of energy:

Coffee, of course; or red bull - but don't over-do it, or you won't sleep at night, and then you'll be in the same situation the next day.

Have a snack - some protein or fruit, not sugar! True, the sugar rush will give you a quick pick-me-up; but in half an hour you'll be more tired than you were to start.

Take a quick walk around the office to get your blood flowing. Even better, take the walk outside. A few minutes of sun has a wakening effect.

Splash some cold water on your face.

Keep a scent diffuser in your office - mint, eucalyptus, grapefruit & lemon are particularly good wake-up scents.

If you have the time and an appropriate space, grab a ten-minute nap. It might be the most rewarding and efficient way to restore alertness. According to a study referenced in Forbes magazine, "the 10-minute nap produced immediate improvements in all outcome measures (including sleep latency, subjective sleepiness, fatigue, vigor, and cognitive performance), with some of these benefits maintained for as long as 155 minutes".

Plus you get the emotional satisfaction of being able to say you went to sleep on the job!