Everybody knows that the best way to wake up feeling good in the morning is to make sure that you get a great night’s sleep the night before. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the way that things work out. Whether you are generally a night owl who stays up far too late at night habitually or a person who normally gets to bed at a reasonable hour but you stayed up too late to chat with a friend or finish that book that you just couldn’t put down, here are some tips for making the most of a sleepy-eyed morning.
Drink Up
One of the most important things that you can do for yourself on a morning when you haven’t gotten enough sleep the night before is to make sure that you’re properly hydrated. Most people don’t realize that you can lose up to 16 ounces of water when you’re sleeping at night just through breathing and sweating in your sleep. Replacing what you’ve lost is one of the best ways to revive yourself and jump start your metabolism. Though cold water is refreshing, keep in mind that a cup of tea or coffee counts. It hydrates as well as anything else, and the jolt of caffeine will help you get those eyes open.
Forgive Yourself
You may be leaning towards giving yourself a good talking to about having stayed up too late and leaving yourself feeling like a zombie, but doing that is only going to make you feel worse. Instead focus on the things that you need to do during the day and any highlights that you can look forward to. Accentuate the positive and make sure that you prioritize getting to bed at a more reasonable hour that night.
Exercise
No matter how hard it might be to get yourself out of bed and go out for a run or a walk, anybody who exercises on a regular basis knows that once you’re out there and moving you’re going to feel better. Not only does exercise clear the mind and get the blood flowing, but just getting outside into the sunlight will help to make you feel more alert and reset your circadian rhythms. There’s no need to run a marathon – just do something to get you moving and you’ll find that the rest of your day will be much more bearable, energetic and productive.
Eat a Good Breakfast
When the experts say that exercise is the most important meal of the day, they’re not kidding. Your body needs fuel to give it the energy that it needs, and eating something healthy that gives it protein and complex carbohydrates will do the trick. Remember to stick with lean proteins, fresh fruits, and whole grains. You don’t have to eat a lot - just make sure that you eat something.
Use Music to Pep Up Your Step
No matter how tired you are, use music to help brighten your mood and wake you up.
