You have an 8 a.m. tomorrow, and you get into bed nice and early expecting a full 8 hours of sleep. Wrong. You toss and turn for hours and wake up exhausted. I know this situation too well. This is especially difficult if you have a busy day ahead. You might contemplate just shutting your alarm and crawling back into bed, but unfortunately, that’s not always an option. Over the past few years, I have discovered a few tricks that help you feel well-rested, when in reality you didn’t get much shut eye at all.
- Eat a protein-filled breakfast!
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While it might sound easier to grab a granola bar on your way to class, a protein-packed breakfast will make all the difference in your energy levels throughout the day. Something like a granola bar is filled with sugar and carbohydrates, which will give you a short-term energy boost but will eventually lead you to crash much quicker. Proteins like eggs, yogurt, and lean meats will keep you full for hours, allowing your body to have a constant source of energy.
- Lower your caffeine intake.
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This may sound counter-intuitive, but if you got barely any sleep, caffeine will be your enemy, not your friend. Your body will already be working overtime to keep your energy levels up, and the caffeine boost actually disappears when you’re sleep-deprived. Save your venti iced lattes for when you just need a pick me up, and stick with something like tea when you barely got any pillow time.
- Go all out with your outfit.
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Okay, I know this sounds crazy, but sitting down to put extra care into your skincare, makeup, or hair routine, and spending time picking out a cute outfit will set a positive tone for the rest of the day. While it’s second nature to just want to roll out of bed and be on your way, I have found that the more put together I feel, the more productive I am during the day, and if I take the time to do my hair or makeup, there’s less of a chance that I’ll nod off in class because I don’t want to ruin it!
- Drink a lot of water!
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Water can truly solve so many problems. Carry a water bottle around with you all day and stay hydrated! Your body will thank you.
- Get some fresh air.
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Try to walk to class! All you need is 20 minutes outdoors to make you feel more alive. The cool, fresh air will instantly wake you up, and the mild exercise from walking will get your blood flowing and help recharge your body for the day.
It’s really easy to just roll out of bed and mope around all day if you didn’t get much sleep, but using these tips you can make the best out of the day and really be productive!
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