How to Bounce Back After a Bad Night's Sleep
By Sara Butler
You know that getting a night of good quality sleep is important for good health, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. And all those tips about how to get a great night’s sleep don’t help when you’ve awakened from the world’s worst night of tossing and turning. Lucky for you, there are some ways to bounce back after a terrible night to help control the damage.
Eat Breakfast
When you’ve not gotten enough sleep it can mess with your body’s hunger signals, making you feel hungry all day long and making it harder to keep from binging on food you know isn’t good for you. If the day gets started with a healthy breakfast full of protein, it’s a great way to help you feel more energized and in control for the rest of the day. Stay away from the chips and candy!
Get Some Sun
Light helps you to wake up, so go outside as soon as you can to soak up some rays. If the sun isn’t up yet, then turn on as many lights as you can, even if you feel gross and groggy. It’ll help your brain to wake up and get you ready to face the day.
Move It!
When you’re tired, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind. But it’s also exactly what you should be doing. Just a few stretches or light cardio can help you to get going after you’ve plied your eyes open feeling as if you got no rest at all.
The only caveat: Stick with light exercise. You shouldn’t train hard on a bad night’s sleep.
Cool Off
When you’re feeling tired and sluggish, heat can make you feel even worse. So, take a cold shower or turn your air conditioning down low to help you stay alert. Splashing cold water on your face can work wonders, too.
Don’t Nap
Unless you absolutely cannot avoid it, don’t nap during the day. If you can stay awake all day, then you’ll have a better chance of falling asleep and staying asleep when it’s time for bed. But if you just can’t hold the Sandman at bay and have to nap, don’t let yourself sleep for more than 45 minutes. It may make you feel worse after you wake up and might be setting you up for another restless night.
These things can make you feel better after a rough night. Just don’t forget to keep drinking water throughout the day!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
