20 Hacks to Fight Sleepiness and Look More Awake Without Coffee

As soon as you get out of bed instantly make yourself feel more awake by splashing your face with cold water.

Whether you have time for a 30-minute jog, or 10 minutes of jumping rope, do whatever activity you have time for. Starting your day with exercise will keep you going for longer without feeling the need to nap.

If you have trouble getting yourself to work out, check out these 15 hacks to make it easier to make it to the gym.

Tired skin tends to be on the paler side so part of the trick of appearing as if you aren’t as sleep deprived as you look is to use a product that brightens your complexion. Use a natural highlighting cream to mimic the radiance of healthy (and in our case, well-rested) skin. We love this one from Charlotte Tilbury for a natural glow that's candlelit and never cakey or over-the-top.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand, $50.

In addition to starting the day with a face full of icy water, keep the temperature of your shower as low as you can stand it. Cold water will perk you up and help boost circulation helping to minimize fatigue.

Puffy eyes are a dead giveaway that you didn’t get enough sleep. Pop two spoons in the freezer for a few minutes then rest them on your eyes. The intense cold will help alleviate the puffiness and swelling by constricting blood vessels.

You might also like: 10 common skincare mistakes that are aging you.

Skip the second mug of coffee and instead, move your body. On your lunch break or whenever you have a chance, walk around your office or walk up and down the stairs as a way to keep your blood pumping and your energy levels up.

Open up your eyes so you immediately look more awake with some help from a volumizing mascara. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara lengthens, curls, conditions and adds volume – perfect for days when you need a little extra help looking like you got eight hours of sleep.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara, $30.

Fresh air is your ally when you’re tired. Get some fresh air before you start your day and then aim to get out into the sunshine whenever you need a boost.

RELATED: how to burn more calories during your work day.

Staying hydrated is your number one defence against falling asleep at your desk. As soon as you get even a little bit dehydrated your energy level will dip – so remember to sip.

The longer you stare at a screen the more tired your already tired eyes are going to get. Aim to look away from the screen at least every 20 minutes.

Heavy meals will just make you feel more sluggish. Stay energized and alert by eating small, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day.

Give tired skin a boost before you put any makeup on with the aid of a mask that will refresh your complexion. GlamGlow offers a tried-and-true brightening mask containing vitamin C to brighten up your complexion instantly, giving you a more youthful and rested look. Plus, the slight tingly feeling and relaxing mask break will help you feel more awake.

GlamGlow Flashmud Brightening Treatment, $59-79.

Stretching every hour or so, or whenever you feel yourself fading can go a long way towards helping you feel more awake.

Cookies and other sugary treats look like the answer when you’re struggling to stay awake but they’re not. Once the initial burst of energy wears off you’ll likely end up feeling even worse.

Be mindful of your posture when you’re feeling more tired than usual. Slouching won’t help you feel more energized and in fact, may lead to more feelings of fatigue. Whereas standing and sitting tall will help you look and feel more alert.

You might also like: 10 things to do in the daytime to sleep better at night.

A few deep breaths at your desk or in the bathroom can clear your head and help you feel more alert almost immediately.

Mess and clutter can hinder productivity which tends to be low when you’re sleep deprived. Make it easier to get things done on minimal sleep by tidying your work area.

See more: 10 productivity hacks from startup founders.

When you’re sleep deprived, it’s hard to stay focused. Make things easier for yourself whether you’re at work or at home by setting your sights on one to-do at a time versus attempting to multitask.

Staying behind your desk and sticking to emails and phone calls might be tempting when you’re tired, but you’ll actually feel more awake if you go for more face-to-face interactions.

During moments you feel like you could fall asleep standing up or while you’re in a meeting, act awake even though you don’t feel it. Make a point of speaking up in meetings, tell a joke, laugh when you hear one, smile and generally do what you would normally do had you got a better sleep the night before. The more awake you can act, the more awake you will feel.