- Drink Peppermint Tea
You may be pleased to know that aromatherapy research shows that the scent of mint can actually help sharpen your cognitive abilities temporarily. Drinking peppermint tea is a great way to wake up your body and mind, and you can drink it caffeine-free from the afternoon on so the caffeine doesn’t interfere with your sleep tonight. - Get Some Quick Exercise
If you take a quick walk or find other ways to get quick bursts of exercise (or more, if you have time), you should get a burst of endorphins to lift your mood, and an infusion of energy to help get you through the day. - Take a Power Nap
As long as you set an alarm and don’t sleep too long, a power nap can be a great solution to help you get through a long afternoon. - Listen to Music
Studies in music therapy have found that music can actually affect your physiology—listening to music of a quicker tempo can increase your heart rate and help you feel more energetic. Playing some upbeat music is a simple way to wake yourself up on your lunch break or whenever you can fit it in. - Eat Well
To combat the effects of lost sleep on your waistline, and to provide your body with the best fuel, be sure to feed yourself healthy meals and snacks today so you don’t find yourself involved in a sugar crash as well as a sleep deprivation rut.
Sources:
Bollinger T, Bollinger A, Oster H, Solbach W. Sleep, Immunity, and Circadian Clocks: A Mechanistic Model. Gerontology. February 3, 2010.
O'Brien LM. The neurocognitive effects of sleep disruption in children and adolescents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinics of North America. October 2009.
Patel SR. Reduced sleep as an obesity risk factor. Obesity Review. November 10, 2010.
