Everyone has experienced that morning — waking up to see under eye bags, bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and skin so oily it reflects the sunlight. We don’t always have the time to get enough sleep to wake up looking and feeling refreshed, but there are quick and easy ways to help us get motivated, ready and out the door to face the day feeling beautiful.
Find Scents That Make you Feel Energized
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​Scents such as peppermint, grapefruit and eucalyptus are said to be energizing and invigorating, which help you feel more alert in the morning, according to Fitsugar.com. Easily concoct a mask or homemade facial scrub the night before to help awaken the senses.
Make Time for Breakfast
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While Pop Tarts are a quick fix, try for a healthier grab-and-go, nutrient-rich option, such as a Nutri-Grain or Clif Bar. There are make-at-home options for breakfast bars, such as EatingWell’s Energy Bar recipe, that are low-calorie and easy to prepare.
Drink Plenty of Water
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To make drinking water more exciting, try adding flavor to it. Today, add cucumber and mint to your water glass. Tomorrow, add fresh strawberries or lime. Drinking more water helps flush toxins out of your system.
Snack During the Day
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If you’re going to be at work all day, pack some snacks or smaller meals to munch on throughout the day. Eating smaller meals several times a day provides more energy than one or two large meals, which leave your body feeling spent. Eating smaller amounts more often boosts your metabolism, giving you more energy and burning extra calories.
Eat Balanced Meals and Snacks
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Fruits, vegetables, protein, and yes, even carbs, are important to any diet, especially if you’re exercising regularly or are always on the go. Salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acid, as are almonds. Women are typically deficient in zinc and iron, so eating foods high in these supplements is especially important. Iron can be found in lean protein or beans. Guess what zinc can be found in? Dark chocolate! Eating healthy with these supplements in mind can help clear up skin, make hair shine and increase energy.
Rejuvenate Those Eyes
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Get rid of under eye puffiness by simply splashing cold water on your face as soon as you get out of bed. Not quite enough? Freeze cucumber slices overnight, and place them over your eyes in the morning. Rubbing a sliced grape over the bags also helps to reduce swelling and moisturizes eyes.
Do You Wear Contacts?
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Many brands dry out your eyes leaving them bloodshot and blurry. Many prefer Air Optix Aqua contacts or a similar brand you can leave in all day. Imagine waking up and not having to change your contacts every morning — not only does it save time, but it will also leave your eyes less agitated.
Wash Off Makeup Before Hitting the Sack
This seems like an easy task, but many of us forget about it after a long day. Leaving makeup on overnight clogs pores and irritates eyes. Simple soap and water will work, but an inexpensive makeup remover or facial wash works best.
Photo by Monik Markus via Wikimedia Commons
Eat Less Salt
As tasty as it is, salt causes snackers to retain water and feel bloated. If you absolutely can’t pass on the Chinese food and wake up the next morning with a puffy face, grab a bag of frozen peas or corn from the freezer, and lay it over your face for five minutes before applying makeup.
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