Visiting a conference might not seem like a particularly gruelling task, but you will be surprised by how tiring it can be. You might find yourself on your feet for hours at a time, and when you are sitting down you will be exercising your mind as you try to keep up with taking notes and absorbing the content of one of the many panels.
It's hardly equivalent to running a marathon, but all the little activities add up and by the end of the day you might find your eyelids drooping! Obviously this means you will not be getting the most out of your conference. So how can you prevent yourself from being tired out on the day?
There are a few things you can prepare to make sure you are not exhausted midway through the day. Here are some of the ways you can make the most of all your conferences by keeping your energy up:
Have a big breakfast
You've probably heard it said a million times, but starting the day with a healthy, hearty breakfast really is the best way to keep your energy levels up. This is also a good way to wake up in the morning, as the nutrients will make sure you are awake and active for the first few hours of the day.
Just make sure you don't overdo it. If you gobble down a huge fried breakfast you might end up feeling bloated and sluggish, which will not help you to stay awake in the early hours of the day!
Drink plenty of water
At many conferences, you will find yourself drinking cup after cup of coffee while you network and sit through each session. This is actually not a great idea; while one or two cups are useful if you need a quick caffeine boost, too many will leave you dehydrated and drowsy.
It is much better to drink plenty of water. It is recommended that you drink around two litres a day, and this should certainly be your target at your next conference. This will help keep you awake and stop you feeling sluggish as the day goes on.
Get a good night's sleep
If you sleep for eight hours or more, you will find you are more awake, attentive and able to concentrate the next day. These are all incredibly useful for a conference, so you should make sure you get a full night's rest beforehand.
This can be difficult, especially if you have a long journey to get to the venue. If this is the case, it is often a good idea to travel down the night before and stay in a hotel. The time it will save you in the morning will allow you to get a good eight hours' sleep, leaving you ready to tackle whatever the conference can throw at you.
