You Just Had a Bad Night's Sleep. Here’s What to Do Now
Here’s what to do if you’re tired, according to Atlanta’s leading concierge longevity doctor
You just had a terrible night’s sleep; it happens to the best of us. You know that you’ll be tired, irritable, and likely to exercise poor judgment for the rest of the day. What should you do? Here’s your science-backed answer
Consider creatine. 10+ grams of creatine (perhaps more, if you can tolerate it) may partly offset sleep deprivation
Stay hydrated. Ample water improves mood and reduces fatigue
Morning sunlight. Bright morning light directly on your eyes (not through sunglasses or a window) will reset your circadian rhythm and prime you for a good day
Strategic caffeine. You’ll need it, but don’t have it late in the day, or you’ll ruin your next night’s sleep
Consider a nap, but only if you can do it before 2 pm
Skip the sleeping pills. They poison your sleep quality, and they increase the risk of accidents and death
Avoid alcohol tonight. A nightcap may make you sleepy, but it fragments sleep and reduces REM sleep. After a bad night, protect the next one: skip alcohol, dim the lights, and go to bed on time.
Don’t overeat. When we’re sleepy, we tend to eat more.
Exercise. Don’t skip a workout just because you’re tired.
Try to postpone key decisions til you’re better rested. You will make poor choices when you’re tired
Be cautious about starting arguments today! You don’t want to say something to a child, spouse, or colleague when you’re cranky and irritable.
Consider getting a driver. We’re more likely to crash our cars when we’re tired.
Dr. Gregory Charlop is a Human Performance Optimization (HPO) expert who supports busy executives, family offices, and the defense industry.
Dr. Gregory Charlop here. As the leading longevity and lifestyle concierge medicine physician in Buckhead. We use lifestyle medicine (which combines exercise, sleep, nutrition, deep social relationships, and select medications) to help our executive patients look and feel better.
Do you live in the Atlanta, Buckhead, or Alpharetta area and have questions about wellness and concierge medicine? Let’s chat. We also serve patients in California and Texas via telemedicine.
