6 Ways To Power Through The Day If You’re Running On No Sleep

In a perfect world, we would get a solid eight hours of sleep every night. Unfortunately, the reality is that life often gets in the way; we have bills to pay, kids to take care of, and even the occasional late night social event.

Whether you were tossing and turning the night before because you couldn’t sleep, or had to stay up working on a presentation, nothing is worse than having to go into work or manage the kids the next day feeling exhausted. Your first instinct may be to load up on coffee, but you can only have so many cups before you get jittery or begin to crash.

Luckily, there are some things you can do that can help make the day after a sleepless night much easier. If you’re functioning on very little sleep, try the following six ways to power the through the day as best as you can.

1. Have A Good Breakfast

When you’re low on sleep, it’s important to load up on the right nutrients to get you through the day. Eat a balanced meal filled with protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fat. It’s especially important you eat a complex carbohydrate in the morning, as studies show that people who have complex carbohydrates in the morning end up feeling more alert throughout the day.

2. Take A Cold Shower

Although it’s probably the last thing you want to do in the morning, taking a cold shower can increase your alertness, and as an added bonus, it also helps with your mood. Cold water can naturally increase your heart rate while also sending signals to your brain that have an antidepressive effect.

3. Take Deep Breaths

Deep, intentional breathing can be relaxing, but it can also stimulate your energy. Slowing your breathing to less than 10 breaths per minute can help increase your energy as well as improve your cognitive abilities.

4. Load Up On Water

If you’re already fatigued, there’s no need to make it worse by dehydrating yourself. If your body is low on water, it can make your tiredness worse, so be sure to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day to naturally boost your energy levels.

5. Expose Yourself To Light

From when you first wake up in the morning to when you begin your day, pull back the curtains and get some sunshine, as light can make your brain more stimulated and aware. Sunlight also decreases your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone in your body responsible for regulating your sleep cycles.

6. Take A Walk

It may sound counterintuitive, but if you’re feeling your energy levels plummet midway through the day, consider going outside for a walk. Quick bursts of exercise, including walking, have been shown to reduce fatigue, and walking outdoors only amplifies this effect.