How to stay awake alert and energised on a long shift

[Lan-shan-po]

Im doing some really long shifts and I'm wondering do you have any tips on how to stay awake and alert? I've tried caffeine pills but you end up feeling wired, do you take anything to help you through long shifts?
Im only after legal suggestions please.

[237SJ]

Keep up and about as much as possible. If you sit for a long time you will want to go to sleep. The odd cup of tea helps and something to read but I find moving about the best thing to do

[Answerprancer]

Guarana based energy drinks possibly.
Also, they are starting to sell tiny shots of vitamin boosted drinks across the counter in petrol stations, similar to the ones you get in US petrol stations.
I've stayed alert and awake on a 13 hour car journey beween Alabama and Kansas on one of these. It's a shame you don't want to consider an 'alternative' - I have found speed to be very effective and much less 'jittery' than caffeine.

[WhiteBears]

eating bananas and energy drinks usually keeps me awake and alert

ohh tell me about them caffine tablets... i use to take them when i was at college, they mde me go all werid too!!

[Lan-shan-po]

Thanks for your answer guys, Ive decided to go with Gingko biloba, Guarana and Ginseng and see how that goes.

[Lan-shan-po]

Whitebears thanks you reminded me to get potassium too.

[Goodsoulette]

Boring I know but I eat two bananas and and drink loads of water. I take three 2 litre bottles of the flavoured volvic stuff when im on from 7am to 9.30pm and eat normally throughtout day too. I swear by the water though.

[Answerprancer]

..then of course there's always Spun.k :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v8yQ3H8cyQ

[TTG]

Diet Coke.

[Goodsoulette]

lol isnt that a normal shift?