How to stay awake for the royal wedding

Can't wait to watch the royal I do's on April 29? Us, too. Unfortunately for those of us in the United States, media coverage of the wedding bash starts at 9 a.m. British Summer Time -- 4 a.m. on the East Coast, and 1 a.m. on the West -- which means that wherever you live, you're more likely to be snoozing than celebrating with champagne when the ceremony begins. In general, sleep specialists say that regular all-nighters are a health no-no, but some rules are meant to be broken once in a while. So, if you're determined to stay up and catch the fairy-tale festivities live rather than on DVR, we have expert-backed tips for preventing mid-nuptial nod-offs.

[Save the page: Watch the royal wedding live on Yahoo!]

Stock up on sleep
Don't skimp on shut-eye Wednesday night. "If you're already sleep deprived, it'll make it next to impossible to keep yourself up all night," says Ronald A. Popper, MD, sleep specialist and medical director of the Southern California Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Medical Center in Thousand Oaks. "Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep the previous night. And if you're not planning to sleep at all Thursday night, take a siesta for one to three hours in the early evening so you start the night with more energy."

Lighten up
"Darkness stimulates your body to secrete melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone that helps regulate your circadian rhythm (your internal clock) and tells your body when it's time to wake up and when it's time to go to sleep," says Dr. Popper, who adds, "Keep your TV room well-lit, and you'll help suppress melatonin release and trick your body into feeling less drowsy."

Yawn
It sounds counterintuitive, but yawning gives your brain an instant pick-me-up. "The quick hit of oxygen wards off sleepiness and helps you stay focused by regulating metabolism and cooling the brain," explains Andrew Newberg, MD, associate professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Can't yawn on cue? Fake it a few times and you won't be able to help yourself.

[Related: Host a royal wedding viewing party]

Sniff some mint
People experience a 30 percent uptick in alertness after inhaling the smell of peppermint, a study at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia finds. The scent stimulates the brain's reticular activating system, which is responsible for waking us up. Light a mint-scented candle or brew yourself a mug of hot peppermint tea.

Bring on the java
No doubt you know caffeine can deliver a much-needed energy boost, so go ahead and have a cup (or two) of joe. But steer clear of caffeine-packed energy drinks: "They contain too much sugar and caffeine, which can cause anxiety -- even heart palpitations in some people -- and you may wind up with a headache the next day," says Dr. Popper.

Make a move
Losing steam? Drop and give us 20! "Exercise may release endorphins, and it stimulates your cardiovascular system, making you feel more energized," Ong says. When your eyelids start to feel heavy, crank up your favorite tunes and do some jumping jacks, a few of your favorite yoga poses (plank, warrior, some sun salutations), or just boogie. A few minutes of that and you'll be more pumped than Kate and William on their big day.

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[Source : royalwedding.yahoo.com]