How to Recover From a Bad Night of Sleep

By Donna Stark

It's happened again, hasn't it? And as it continues to happen while the years pass by, it gets worse and worse to deal with, doesn't it? It's the morning after. The morning after a horrible night of sleep, or should I say the morning after no sleep at all? Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what the reason was for your disrupted sleep because the end result will always be the same  low energy, an unproductive day, wild mood swings, and extreme fatigue. So, what can you do to recover from your bad night of rest? Here are some tips.

Quit Stewing

Sure, you are frustrated and angry. There's a lot to get done and you simply can't afford another wasted day. But sitting on the edge of your bed, sulking and complaining isn't going to make the day any better. So take a few deep breaths, accept it for what it is, find something to be grateful for, and get on with your day like every other.

Make a Healthy Breakfast

You're going to need as much extra energy as you can get today, so start your morning off right. Head into the kitchen and make yourself a healthy breakfast. Try to incorporate some protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fruit or vegetables into the meal. And before you grab that cup of joe, drink a glass of water first!

Get Some Sun

Sunlight is nature's alarm clock and the body's cue to attack the day! Head outdoors as soon as you can in the morning for a few minutes of sun. Take a short walk down your street or just breathe in some fresh air. You may be surprised by how refreshing it is and how energized it makes you feel.

Keep Yourself Occupied

When you keep your brain and body busy throughout the day, you may be able to fight the crushing fatigue a lot better. Stay on schedule at work, pull out some puzzles during your downtime, or get your body moving with some exercise. Just a simple 10-minute walk is enough to keep you alert and focused throughout the rest of the day.

Take a Power Nap

If you can swing it, a short 20-minute nap can do wonders for your fatigue, productivity, and stress levels. But try to fit it in before the afternoon ends. You don't want your power nap to disrupt your next night of sleep!

Surviving the Day

Take heart! Surviving the day after little to no rest is possible. You just have to watch your attitude and make a few simple changes to your routine. Here's to productive days and, hopefully, lots of rest ahead!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Franklin, Tenn.