How to wake up well after a bad night's sleep
Hello good morning! Not a good morning? Didn’t feel like singing a few songs while birds flap around your head? No skipping out the door with your lunchbox in tow? Neither did I. After a bad night’s sleep, I find it so tricky to wake up happy, energised and ready to take on the day. Which is why I’ve done a quick bit of research into little things that you can do to have a better day. Hope it helps you today!
Have breakfast. You may think your limited time is better spent getting ready and that you don’t have time for a nice breaky, but indulging in the most important meal of the day will boost your energy and give you something to look forward to in the morning.
Put on some music. Nothing can put you in a better mood than your favourite song, so instead of getting ready in silence, jam out a little.
Stay away from social media and the news. FOMO and shocking news can put us in a bad mood for the rest of the day, so put down your phone and keep smiling.
Get those curtains open asap. In addition to sunlight being a natural mood booster, waking up to natural light makes it easier for your body to snap out of deep sleep.
Stretch. Get your blood flowing, enable the release of endorphins and let yourself start the morning in a relaxed mood for a less stressful day ahead.
Get moving. The last thing you want to do right after waking up is to actually move (can I get a ‘heck yes’?), let alone a solid cardio session. But whether you’re an early riser and have time for a run or can barely squeeze in a few minutes of burpees or jumping jacks before heading out, morning exercise will boost your mood, your calorie burn, and your confidence.
Take time to think. One way to pretty much force yourself to be happy, is to think about a few things you’re grateful for or that make you happy right now. Better yet - write these points down, so you can look over them when the going gets tough.
Stay hydrated. Since you’re not drinking any water throughout the night, the first thing you should do in the morning is pour yourself a nice, tall glass of it. You will surely feel more refreshed and energized throughout the day.
Don’t hit snooze. Snoozing the alarm will only put off the inevitable, so don’t make getting up even harder on yourself. Rip off the Band-Aid, as they say.
Smile. Even if the weather is bad or it’s a Tuesday. Even if you absolutely loathe mornings. You know what they say, fake it ’til you make it.
Written by Nina Clark, founder
P.S. I love this very complete list of sleep tips (101, to be exact) from Slumber Yard, for some info on how to sleep like a dream so you wake up well every day.
