Chew menthol gum. The key factor isn't actually the refreshing menthol, but the act of chewing itself. This tricks your brain into becoming active, as it anticipates the need to digest food. In response, it releases insulin, which triggers a feeling of alertness.Open the windows, let in fresh air, and turn on the air conditioner or a fan. Warm, stuffy spaces induce a sense of fatigue. Cool air keeps the brain alert and prompts the body to mobilize its resources to maintain the constant temperature required for proper organ function.