So you stayed out a little too late last night. Whether you were having fun with your friends or at an endless work dinner, the result is the same: After you’ve gotten less than stellar sleep, a daunting day of feeling foggy and exhausted awaits you.
Or does it? If you have to function after a bad night’s sleep, there’s one simple thing you can do to feel more energized and greatly improve your ability to think clearly. And lucky for you, it’s sitting in your kitchen right now: a big glass of water.
Think about it. When you’re out late, you’re probably drinking alcohol and eating salty food. Then you get up early the next morning and try to power through the day with a few cups of coffee—a recipe for dehydration. A study conducted by the University of Connecticut found that even mild dehydration (aka you’re waiting until you’re thirsty to drink) can dramatically impact your mood and energy levels. So if you’re skipping the H20, you’re making it twice as difficult for your body to bounce back.
So go grab a glass of ice water with lemon. And go to bed early tonight, OK?
