What are the common buddhist practices to eliminate sleepiness?

Coffee will temporarily give you a mind and energy boost but it also has the negative effect of giving you a crash (hence the reason for more coffee). I used to own a cafe and I would drink up to 5-6 short blacks a day as I would always feel tired and drowsy. A good friend of mine challenged me to give up coffee for a month and I could not believe how much energy I had after about 2-3 days. For about 2 days I did have headaches which was the caffeine leaving my system but after that I was fine. I still drink coffee only one a day and I also meditate daily (Anapana meditation or mindfulness meditation) and this has also given me a lot more energy. Of course you will always have days where nothing can eliminate drowsiness but for the most part all good.

Metta

Try using control breathing technique by sitting down in the quiet place, focus on breathing in and out at the tip of the nose while closing your eyes (visualize the air going in and out). This may help you with focusing your mind to stay alert while clearing your senses on the surrounding, which can be distracting.

If your diet is already well controlled and you have enough sleep, you may have sleep apnea condition.

You can try focusing primarily on your in-breath during your meditation. Inhalation activates your sympathetic nervous system (which is also activated when you're in flight or fight mode). Every time you inhale, there is a subtle increase in energy. Your body is oxygenated and your heart beats a bit faster. At the same time, your mind also becomes more alert and energetic on the in-breath. So if you meditate with an emphasis on your in-breath , you will find yourself becoming more energised.

Just try it for yourself and see what happens.

Great tips by the Buddha. To supplemement this I offer a esoteric Buddhist technique taught by Master Huai-Chin Nan: focus at your navel point and imagine a fine bright red point as bright as you can. Imagine this growing brighter and brighter, finer and finer. If this doesn't wake you up, gradually move this point up! Move this point down, if you have TOO much energy.

This technique works best after having done the Buddhist contemplations in an above answer.

Sleep is a subject I have studied for over 15 years very deeply. There is much to be said about it including: affirmations, lucid dreaming as cultivation, self-hypnosis to sleep BETTER or sleep faster, dream interpretation, circadian rhythm timings, REM timings... so many deep deep topics for you to learn more about!

Nonetheless, basic guidelines about rest are important. We should get ample rest before meditating. Master Nan said he would sleep for DAYS at a time and then when he's had enough, he would do a non-stop retreat without sleep for the next week. Strange I think, but I'm just reporting it for reporting sake.

Another thing you should know is that the more we stress about the world and the more worldly things we do (things that involve lust, greed, ignorance) I notice the more sleep-need is generated.

Also, I have experimented with many different polyphasic sleep styles, I think it is better to learn how to rest every hour through five minute closed eyes and stretching breaks.

As much as possible you should design your life to feel good always especially your diet. This is a lifelong journey and for nutritional self-analysis read Mark Hyman's book "The Ultramind Solution." It definitely added to my nutritional understandings. Also learn about fasting, read "Rational Fasting."

If there's anything you take away from this: the best way to overcome torpor is to figure a lifestyle out where you don't have it in the first place (and are still getting your life objectives accomplished).

Actually Buddha called that the Lazyness. It is a one major factor that prevent us from getting in to the path of Nirvana.

• Don't eat too much, if you eat until you get the feeling it is full that's wrong.
• In order to stay alert drink more water, actually a major factor of being APHOO
• Keep a good hi-gene that will make you good
• Also maintain a posture, so the body knows what mood are you in. ex: If you study in bed body thinks that posture is for sleep so it will release those enzymes
• Wake up in the morning for India that time is 3 - 6 because it is called the Brahma moorthi that will energize you.
• There are many things like what to eat and what not to do. It is all mentioned in Vinayapitaka.(a study of behaviors)

These are the major facts please read the above pitaka for more information