Feeling awake and refreshed can feel difficult at the best of times, so surely getting rid of the sleepiness in 10 minutes flat is impossible? Not if you follow our tips! (And you won't need to reach for the coffee, either)
The alarm sounds, we mutter something angrily and sink down as low as possible under the covers and wish that time would just rewind to approximately eight hours ago. But get up we must, and no matter how many times we hit the snooze button it only prolongs the pain of wrenching ourselves out of bed.
Want to know the worst thing? That’s not the only time in the day we have to forcibly wake ourselves up! Getting up and out of bed is one thing, but keeping ourselves alert and awake all day as well can feel too much at times. Sound familiar? We’re here to help with our 12 ways to feel more awake throughout the day. And not only do they work, but they’ll do so in under 10 minutes flat.
We know how difficult it can be to tear yourself away from that cosy, warm duvet, but if you want to be more zen than zombie, these little tips and tricks will help you feel more awake. From music and shower products to energising stretches, we’d love to know if any of these ideas have helped you to feel more awake. Let us know by leaving a comment in the box below.
90-second shower trick
We know a secret that will revolutionise the way you wake up in the mornings.
Yes, it'll take a little courage, but if you see it through, you'll be feeling awake, alert and energised in just 90-seconds flat.
And the key ingredient? It's in your morning shower. Showering first thing is re-energising in itself, but did you know that an alteration in temperature could drastically quicken the speed you wake up? Here's how to do it:
1. Turn your shower temperature down as cold as you think you can bear for 30 seconds, showering as normal. Cold water (and the shock of it!) increases our body's oxygen intake.
2. Turn your shower temperature up to as hot as you can handle, showering in this for another 30 seconds. Hot water dilates blood vessels and increases circulation.
3. Lastly, turn the temperature down to cold once again, showering in it for the final 30 seconds.
Still need convincing? Studies into hydrotherapy have shown that hot and cold water not only aid alertness, it can reduce stress, increase immunity, help to burn fat and fight depression.
We're sold!
Sound the alarm
Obviously, most of us need a pretty strong alarm sound in the morning to rouse us from our bed. But the harsh, rasping tone of most can just end up winding us up into an angry frenzy before we've even got one leg out of the covers.
How about finding a sound that'll help to wake you in a more positive way? Like your favourite song or a sound which makes you laugh or feel upbeat? Some alarms allow you to link your iPod up to them, or to time your favourite radio station to come on.
Light up your life
Our clever bodies work on a circadian rhythm, which is basically your built-in body clock. It runs on the principle that when it's dark we should rest and when it's light it's time to get up. Don't hide under the covers or get ready with the curtains drawn, letting in the light is the most natural way to tell your body it's time to wake up.
As soon as you wake up turn on the light, even if you need a further five minutes in bed (and we know we will), allow the light to fill the room and gradually let it wake you up. They're a bit pricey but you can even get alarm clocks that wake you by gradually filling the room with light. Worth adding to the birthday list.
Use a ‘wake me up’ shower gel
We all know how much fresher we feel after a shower, but how about maximising that feeling even more by using a product that's going to perk you up, too. We all like nice smellies in the bathroom, but particular scents, like citrus for example, boosts the body's serotonin levels (a happy hormone) whilst reducing levels of norepinephrine (a stress hormone). All in all, you'll feel much perkier than you did before.
Buy this Original Source Lime shower gel from Asda. It's great for reinvigorating the senses.
Cleanse, tone and moisturise
Get the circulation going and brighten up your skin by having a good morning skincare routine. Really massage the products in to stimulate blood flow and bring your face out of that groggy morning manner.
And a little goodtoknow tip for you, keep your moisturiser in the fridge so it'll be cool and refreshing to use in the morning, and don't forget to invest in a good eye cream that'll perk up your peepers, too. See our pick of the best, here.
Have an energising breakfast
We're sure you've heard experts harp on about the importance of eating breakfast in the morning. And yes, we're about to say it again.
Until you eat something, your body's running on empty, so to give yourself the fuel you need to perk up, get yourself something healthy and energising to start your day off with plenty of get-up-and-go.
Oh and if you're still in need of some convincing, eating breakie also kick starts your metabolism! Check out our healthy breakfast recipes, here.
Eat an apple
OK, so despite our pleas, we know some of you will still rush out of the house without any brekkie, so if you do one thing, just promise us you'll take an apple with you when you leave the house? It's not much, but it will provide a natural sugar boost, which won't leave you with the horrible crash that sugary cereals do.
Still confused about which sugars are bad and which are OK? We've put together a complete guide to sugar to help!
Open the window
Feeling a bit sluggish mid-morning? Getting some fresh, cool air into your lungs will really help to wake up your brain. A study by the Leeds Metropolitan University found that exercising around lunchtime leads to a more productive day, so get out there!
Cooling down the temperature of your bedroom in the mornings will bring you out of that snuggled state. Open up the windows and let the air refresh you.
Listen to music
If it gets to 3pm and you're feeling your eyes getting heavy, play some of your favourite up-beat music to perk you up. You know how listening to high tempo music while you exercise can give you a little boost to run a bit further or stretch a bit harder? Well listening to your favourite up-beat singer or band can have the same effect on how awake you feel!
Try making a wake-up playlist that you know will put you in a good mood for the rest of the day.
Do some yoga stretches
While many people use yoga to relax and unwind, it's also amazing for energising the body. It gets you moving, stretching, breathing and your circulation going.
You know how great a really strong stretch and yawn feels in the morning? Well it's like doing that, all over. Doing exercise gets your heart going, pumping blood to the brain making you more alert.
And it just so happens that we have the perfect energising morning sequence right here - we're good to you aren't we?
Drink water!
Drinking a cold glass of water will rehydrate you at any time of the day, leaving you feeling refreshed and well-hydrated.
Water is the most important substance in your body, it helps with cell function blood flow, digestion, in fact, there's not much it can't do. Without it, we feel groggy and sluggish. So even if you're in a rush you shouldn't leave the house without a bottle of the clear stuff in your handbag to drink while you're on the go.
And here's exactly why water is so good for you.
Essential oils
Essential oils aren't all about sending you off to sleep, you know. Scents like jasmine (pictured), citrus and peppermint smells are great for making you feel alert in just a matter of seconds. In fact, an American study showed that drivers had more energy when they were exposed to the scent of peppermint.
Try drinking a peppermint tea, or keeping one of the oils by your bed and inhale deeply when you wake up. And if you think you're going to need a bit of a pick-me-up during the day then try keeping a little bit of soaked cotton wool in your handbag to save you when you've hit a low point in your day.