10 ways to boost your energy after a sleepless night

REUTERS/Kevin Coombs

Trying to make it through the day after a sleepless night can seem impossible. You may be tired, feel achy, or have headaches. 

Many Americans experience this on a regular basis, as only 35% of adults report getting the recommended seven hours of sleep each night, according to the American Sleep Association.

Getting more sleep is the obvious remedy to these problems. But in the meantime, there are a few short-term solutions that can help you stay awake throughout the day. Here are 10 ways to boost your energy after a sleepless night. 

1. Get up when your alarm goes off.

"Trying to keep that consistent wake-up time is important rather than sleeping in or taking a day off work and sleeping until noon which can cause more problems than it solves," Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist at Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine in Virginia and author of "The Sleep Solution" told INSIDER. 

2. Drink caffeine.

A cup or two of coffee in the morning can help you stay functional throughout the day, Winter told INSIDER. 

But sleep deprivation shouldn't be an excuse to overdo it with caffeine since too much can mess up your sleep schedule, according to Winter. 

3. Go outside.

Getting bright light is one of the best things you can do to wake yourself up because it sends your body a "daytime" signal, Dr. Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, told INSIDER. 

"That will help shake off the sleep inertia," Grandner told INSIDER. 

Winter agreed and suggested eating your lunch outside or taking a quick midday walk to boost your energy.

See Also:

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