Tips For Getting Through The Day After A Bad Night’s Sleep

No sleep? No problem, mama!

Had a bad night’s sleep? Mamas, I’m writing this from experience. A lot of it. My precious little darlings weren’t as keen on sleep as I was (apparently this is a sign of intelligence, here’s hoping), which means I soon learnt to get through my days with not many zzzs under my belt and huge bags under my eyes.

Whether you’ve been burning the midnight oil over your fave TV series, had a wild night on the town without the kids (or at least plan to as soon as restrictions are eased), or been up attending to the needs of babies, toddlers, or teens, here are a few ways to deal with your day after a bad night’s sleep beyond hiding in your bed, because sadly that’s just not practical for any mama…

Read more: Toddler Sleep Challenges: How To Get A Good Night’s Rest

Don’t Hit Snooze

Whatever you do and however many times you’ve been up in the night, the snooze button is not your friend. The sleep you’ll get in between alarm calls feels utterly divine but don’t be fooled – it’ll leave you feeling groggier plus make you late once you eventually haul your sorry state out of bed. Hide the alarm on the other side of the room. Get up and…

Get In The Shower

As obvious as it sounds, a huge dose of water will help kickstart your day. Feeling extra brave? Turn the temperature down and you’ll be wide awake in no time.

Step Outside

Soak up some sunshine, breathe in some fresh air. A big fix of natural light will stimulate your serotonin levels. So many feelings of unhappiness at being so utterly exhausted will be eased. A little.

Get Your Workout Gear On

Okay, so I regularly conduct the school drop-off in full athleisure attire. Am I always going running? Hell, no. But I feel more energetic just wearing the stuff – and on the days that I have time to get onto the running track, in the pool or to a barre class, I feel so much better for it. A little pain, a lot of gain.

Read more: Back To The Mat: Pre- And Postnatal Workout Classes In Hong Kong

Invest In Essential Skincare And Makeup

Not only will a bad night’s sleep leave you exhausted, but your appearance will also take a hit to. What can you do to help? I’m talking botox in bottles. Plaster your face with moisturiser (dry skin looks tired). One of my faves? Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle & Pore Reducing Cream with micronutrients, calming copper PCA and calcium PCA, which keeps the collagen in your face from breaking down – um, yes, please. It does the whole shebang: anti-wrinkling, skin smoothing and pore minimising. Make sure you also follow it up with sun protection.

Get some eye serum on those dark circles too, it’ll help shrink puffiness. Now that your skin is fresh and plumped, use a tinted moisturiser, under-eye concealer, little mascara and a healthy dose of bronzer or blush (don’t go crazy with it, Halloween’s over). Check out these Top Makeup Tips For More Mature Skin, or where to shop for your makeup online. You can always also detract from the eyes with a full-on red lipstick if you’re feeling brave! A spritz of scent (something fresh) and your sunglasses and you’re good to get out and be seen.

Read more: 10 Of The Best: Sassy Mama-Approved Night Creams

Coffee

But not too much or you’ll get jittery. One cup of joe and your reaction time will no longer be on slow (never good with small people around). Water is better, to be fair, lots and lots of it – honestly – drink up, mamas.

Food – The Right Kind

Tempted to reach for the carbs for a little comfort? They’ll only make you feel worse, ditto the chocolate (sugar will help temporarily and then get you crashing down). Eat food with crunch, seriously, if it’s fresh and crunchy then it’ll make you feel fresh…and..er…crunchy.

Read more: Where To Buy: Fresh, Green And Organic Stores In Hong Kong

Don’t Sit And Wallow

Now I’ve done this loads – loafed about whining about how tired I am – and it not only annoys everyone around me but makes the whole situation worse, too. Talk yourself into feeling okay (power of the mind and all that). And if you’re feeling sluggish then get up, make tea, do a bit of re-organising. You may not want to but once you start you’ll get into the swing of it.

Read more: Adapting To Change By Setting Goals In Your Life

After-School Activities With The Kids

I know! You want to plonk them in front of the TV and crawl into a hole (especially now that we’re all coping with online home learning). But switch off the screens and get the music going for a dance-off. You may also prefer to go out for a walk or a quick ride on the scooter – you’ll feel better and they’ll get the dose of exercise needed for a good night’s sleep. Hopefully.

Final words of advice? Go to bed early. And repeat!

Read more: 50 Things To Do With Kids In Hong Kong

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Sassy Mama Dubai by Kaya Scott in November 2015 and updated by Alex Purcell Garcia in January 2021.