How to Fake a Good Night's Sleep

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 Joyce Walsleben, PhD, 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. Here, the secrets.

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.

"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.

The ideal remedy for the mental fatigue that occurs after sleep loss is an afternoon nap, says Matthew Edlund, MD, 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.

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.

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.

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

"Our bodies have a natural rhythm of sleep and wake—you’ll get the most restorative sleep if you stick to that pattern," says Janet Kennedy, PhD, a New York City–based clinical psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders. "Changing your scheduleto make up for lost sleep can actually lead to other problems, like early waking and even insomnia."

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.

Sleep 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.

This simple three-step skin care routine will help you look rested:

Use a gentle exfoliating cleanser. "The slight scrubbing action encourages cell turnover," says Boston dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD. "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.