How to recover from a sleepless night
You can’t always guarantee that you’re going to get a great night’s sleep all the time. Whether we’re too hot, too cold, or feeling stressed, there are lots of reasons why we might occasionally struggle to get to sleep or get back to sleep if we wake up in the middle of the night.
Having just one sleepless night can disrupt your daily functioning. But luckily, the fatigue that you feel after a night of poor sleep only lasts a day or two. However, repeatedly getting poor sleep can have damaging effects, including a possible increased risk of some chronic diseases. Therefore, strategies to help you get back on track with your sleep can be very important.
Here are some tips to help you get through the day after a night of poor sleep.
- Start your day with natural light - opening your curtains to catch the sun will help signal to your brain and body that it's time to start the day
- Limit caffeine - although it's tempting to reach for another coffee or tea, you could end up just feeling "tired and wired" and unable to sleep later the next night
- Exercise - being active can help you feel more alert. Regular exercise is also associated with better quality sleep
- Eat nutritiously - try to avoid excess sugar as a quick "pick-me-up". Providing your body with good nutrition and staying hydrated will make you feel better in the long run
- Take a power nap - a short, 20 minute rest can help recharge you. Just be cautious that it is not too long or too close to bedtime.