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Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

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No matter how dedicated you are to getting your shut-eye, sometimes a less-than-stellar night's sleep is inevitable. The good news: "One bad night's sleep isn't going to hurt you long term," says Dr. Joyce Walsleben, coauthor of A Woman's Guide to Sleep. But it can make you feel not so great the next day.

Luckily, there are ways to feel normal (or very close!) after a rocky night's rest. From our friends at Health.com, here are the secrets...

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

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Open your shades

girl, sleeping in, woman, weekend, red, green, stock, 4x3, bed, relaxing

A big dose of sunshine is the first thing you'll want to try. "Natural light resets your body clock, helping you function better all day," Walsleben says. "Even the low light on a cloudy or rainy day wakes you up better than any indoor bulb."

Early-morning sunlight is best for helping you start the day feeling rejuvenated. To perk up fast, open your shades as soon as you get up.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

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Grab the right eats

eating, banana, boy, electrolyte, potassium, afro, stock, 4x3"When we're tired, our instinct is to reach for sugary foods for a quick rush," says Samantha Heller, RD, clinical nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut. "But those foods make your blood sugar spike and crash, setting off a roller coaster of energy highs and lows."

For lasting energy, start your day with healthy protein and whole-grain carbs, Heller says. Try a whole-wheat English muffin with peanut butter and a sliced banana.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

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No time for a nap?

woman stretching out behind computer

The ideal remedy for the mental fatigue that occurs after sleep loss is an afternoon nap, says Dr. Matthew Edlund, author of The Power of Rest.

But since that's not possible for most people with jobs, the next best thing is a form of active rest called "paradoxical relaxation." Dr. Edlund explains: Focus on one muscle group in your body for at least 15 seconds, concentrating only on how it feels and nothing else. Repeat up and down the body. Surprise - you feel recharged.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

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Drink your coffee nice and slow

No need to gulp down that morning brew: Pour it into a thermos and sip slowly enough to make it last most of the workday.

People who consumed the caffeine equivalent of just 2 ounces of coffee per hour still got a kick, according to a study in the journal Sleep.

Just cut off the java by 3 p.m., or you may have trouble falling asleep that night.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

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Take a walk to wake up

The time of day when the sleep-deprived drag the most is between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., says Michael Breus, PhD, author of The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan.

If you find yourself yawning through afternoon meetings, try stepping out for a 10-minute walk. "Movement boosts core temperature and stimulates the heart, brain, and muscles, preventing a slump," Breus says.

Even pacing around your office will help kick your body back into gear.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

Go to bed on time

The evening following a rough night's sleep, you'll feel most refreshed if you hit the sack close to your usual bedtime.

Instead of sleeping right after dinner, go to bed no earlier than an hour before your normal bedtime and wake up no later than an hour past your normal wake time to catch up without overdoing it.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

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Hang around the water cooler

water, woman, drinking, istockphoto, 4x3Sleep deprivation can mildly dehydrate you, even if you're not suffering from a happy-hour hangover. And dehydration actually compounds fatigue, Breus says - so sipping water will help lessen sleepiness. Drink enough so you're not thirsty and you have clear-ish urine, Breus recommends.

Another trick: Throw in a few ice cubes. "Unlike warm drinks, which tend to relax you, cold beverages can increase alertness because they are more refreshing," Kennedy says.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

Sleepless night? How to fake a good night's rest

istockphoto

Want to look rested?

washing face, exfoliate, scrub, clean, stock, 4x3Wake up your skin with a gentle exfoliating cleanser

"The slight scrubbing action encourages cell turnover," says Boston dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch. "Plus, you'll smooth your skin, making you look immediately fresher."

De-puff your eyes

Start with a few splashes of cool water, and then apply an eye cream with caffeine "to further constrict blood vessels and reduce the appearance of swelling," Dr. Hirsch says.

Add some color

Before applying makeup, slather on a bronzing gel, which has a dose of tint built in. "The touch of color adds radiance," Dr. Hirsch says.

More from Health.com: 7 tips for the best sleep ever

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