suggests non-genetic determinants of alertness after waking up from sleep are: sleep quantity/quality the night before physical activity the day prior a breakfast rich in carbohydrate a lower blood glucose response following breakfast (modifiable as well, for example via choice of food and with berberine) The baseline of daily alertness is related to the quality of their sleep (currently measured only by self-reported quality), positive emotional state (specifically self-report happiness), and age. There are genes that enable people to be apparently healthy and alert with little sleep. Nevertheless, twin-pair analyses indicated that the genetic contribution in daytime alertness is quantifiably small overall. Other factors such as the natural light exposure and synchronicity with the circadian rhythm may matter as well. Behavioral ecology Vigilance is an important trait for animals in order to watch out for predators. Typically a reduction in alertness is observed for animals that live in larger groups. Studies on vigilance have been conducted on various animals including the scaly-breasted munia. See also Awareness Consciousness Disorders of consciousness Wakefulness References Attention Cognitive neuroscience Mental states