How to Look Less Tired When You Wake Up

Co-authored by Alex Dimitriu, MD

Last Updated: August 22, 2024 Approved

Whether you stayed up late working or didn’t sleep well the night before, there are many reasons to feel tired in the morning. But that doesn’t mean you need to look tired when you wake up. Puffy, red eyes, uneven skin tone, and dark under-eye circles are a huge giveaway that you aren’t rested, which can make you seem sloppy and unprepared. But even if you feel tired, there are ways to cover up the signs of sleep deprivation and appear less tired when you wake up.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Download Article

Staying hydrated throughout the day will help you look better and feel better. Going to bed even mildly dehydrated will not only disturb your sleep cycle, but it will also cause you to look more tired in the morning. Staying hydrated will help your skin achieve an even tone and can help you avoid dark under-eye circles, which will make you look tired even if you had a full night of deep sleep. If drinking more water throughout the day makes you get up to use the restroom at night, drink earlier in the day and stop drinking water two hours before bedtime.^{[1]
X
Research source}
Both caffeine and alcohol are extremely dehydrating, so drinking too much of either throughout the day can counteract all the water you drink to stay hydrated. Alcohol also causes the blood vessels in your body and face to dilate, which can lead to flushed, puffy skin when you wake up in the morning. Drinking either of these before bed will make you look even more tired in the morning, so definitely avoid these the night before any important day.

Advertisement
Feeling and looking tired in the morning can be caused by a number of factors, but one of the most common factors is poor sleep hygiene. Sleeping well is not just about how long you sleep, it is also about how well you sleep.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Alex Dimitriu, MD
Sleep Specialist

Expert Interview. 16 October 2019.} Many people just jump into bed and shut the light off, but this is not the proper way to wind down after a long day. Before settling in for the night, try to take the time to clear your mind of any stressors. Be sure to turn off the TV and any bright lights as well. Maximize the benefits of sleep by helping your brain get to the ultra-relaxing deep sleep stage by starting your night off with a relaxed mind.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Get enough sleep. Most sleep experts agree that the average adult should get 7 - 9 hours of sleep each night. For many, this number may seem like a lot, but that’s because hardly any adults get that much sleep. In fact, about 40% of adults get less than 7 hours of sleep each night. Sleep experts say this means that almost half of adults are starving for sleep, so it’s no wonder so many of us feel and look tired in the morning.^{[4]
X
Research source} To help you look less tired in the morning, be less tired in the morning by getting enough sleep the night before. Stick to a consistent bedtime to help set your body’s internal clock, and you’ll be on your way to a fresh face in the morning in no time.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Alex Dimitriu, MD
Sleep Specialist

Expert Interview. 16 October 2019.}
- Stop using electronic screens about an hour before going to sleep. Screens interrupt the cues that tell your body that it's time to get some shut-eye, and tapering off on their use before going to sleep will make it easier to get a good night's rest.
To help you look your best in the morning, experts also recommend sleeping on your back to reduce sleep lines upon awakening. Sleeping on your back can also help to reduce face puffiness and the formation of early-onset wrinkles. You can also try sleeping with more pillows under your head, propping up your body at a 25-30 degree angle, which some research finds reduces dark circles formation by eliminating blood pooling in the tiny vessels of the face during sleep.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Starting Your Day Right

Download Article

Whether you hit the snooze button constantly in the morning, or even only delaying getting up by five minutes, using the snooze button at all will make you feel more tired. Sleep experts say that hitting the snooze button disrupts the inertia of your sleep, which in turn will make you feel (and look!) more tired throughout the morning. When you first wake up in the morning and feel like you want to go back to sleep, that is normal sleep inertia; however, allowing your body to go back to sleep and having to repeat the process again a few minutes later will cause your brain to feel this pronounced grogginess longer after you do finally get up. If you want to feel and look more awake right away, avoid post-snooze sleep and the snooze button!^{[7]
X
Research source}
Your body’s internal clock is extremely sensitive to light and darkness, so try to avoid confusing it by telling it to be awake when you’re still in the dark. A hefty dose of sunshine when you first wake up in the morning is one of the best ways to trick your body into waking up. And if you feel like you’re awake, you will look like you’re awake. If you open the curtains to overcast skies or you wake up before dawn, turn on a very strong light in every room you get ready in. For best results, try using the type of lightbulb used to treat the seasonal affective disorder.^{[8]
X
Research source}
If you have the willpower to wake up and do your full workout, that’s great! For many people though, just getting up in the morning is hard enough. Even if you feel extremely tired in the morning, another great way to perk up your appearance is to get the blood moving by taking a brisk walk around your room, doing a couple of jumping jacks, or stretching for about 5 minutes. This light exercise and stretching will help wake up your mind and body, and it will give you an alert look and a rosy, healthy glow.^{[9]
X
Research source}
When you wake up feeling tired it can be tempting to skip the shower altogether for a few extra minutes of sleep; however, taking a shower is a great way to wake up in the morning. Adjust the water temperature to be as cool as you can handle it, and use an exfoliating scrub on your face and body. Exfoliating will scrub off the grime and bacteria from the previous day and brighten the skin, which will help you look more awake. Coldwater also causes the blood vessels to constrict, which reduces redness and swelling, so your face will look more rested. Be sure to put moisturizer on afterward since dehydrated skin will look unhealthy and make you look tired.
Sleep experts say that waking up and immediately reaching for your coffee is one of the worst ways to wake up. It gets your body in the habit of needing caffeine and makes your body think that it can’t possibly wake up without it when in fact it can. This means that on days when you don’t have enough coffee or any coffee at all, you will look way more tired than you really are because you’ve tricked yourself into thinking you’re sleepy. Instead, reach for a large glass of cold water and drink it briskly. This will wake you up and hydrate your skin, helping you look awake. Also don’t forget to eat breakfast rich in fiber and protein, which will set you up for a day of productivity.^{[10]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Combating the Signs of Sleepiness

Download Article

It may seem strange, but one of the most tried and true remedies to look awake and refreshed in the morning is to use cold spoons to de-puff your eyes. Place two spoons in your freezer while you get ready in the morning. Once they have cooled, gently press the spoons (the curved side in) to your eye sockets. The combination of the cold and the pressure will make under-eye bags disappear, which will make you look wide awake and well-rested. Keep the spoons on your eyes until they are no longer cold, about 5 minutes.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source

Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital

Go to source}
2
Make your eyes look white and bright. Red eyes are a sure sign that you are fatigued, so taking measures to make your eyes look white will immediately make you look less tired. There are several ways to do this depending on how much extra time you have in the morning:^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Use over-the-counter eye drops to clear up bloodshot eyes.
- Apply a cold compress to your eyes for 10 - 15 minutes in the morning to help shrink the blood vessels around your eyes.
- If you wear makeup, apply eyeliner that matches your skin tone to the inner lash line, called the waterline, of your lower eyelid. This will make the veins in your eyes less noticeable and the whites of your eyes will look brighter.
3
Get rid of dark circles. Many people suffer from dark under-eye circles even when they are well-rested, but still, these circles are associated with fatigue. In fact, dark under-eye circles are not caused by a lack of sleep, these shadows are just more apparent when you’re tired because a lack of sleep makes you paler and more hollow-eyed. Whether the circles are chronic or because you pulled an all-nighter, there are ways to reduce their appearance and help you look less tired:^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Applying cold compresses (especially cold spoons!) will help get rid of dark circles as well as puffy eyes.
- Try using saline washes or sprays to rinse away any nasal congestion, which can affect your blood pressure and pool blood in the veins and capillaries under your eyes.
- Take a moment and gently massage your under-eye area with a cool wet washcloth or a frozen cotton swab for about 5 - 10 minutes. This will help disperse any blood pooled in the veins and capillaries under your eyes.
- If you wear makeup, use a thick concealer with a yellow undertone to hide dark under-eye circles.
On days where you need a little more help to look less tired in the morning, reach for a moisturizing product designed to perk up your skin. Look for products that contain refreshing ingredients like caffeine or green tea, which will help awaken your skin up from the inside out. To enhance the effectiveness of these products further, try keeping them in the refrigerator to that they are extra cool and refresh when applied to the skin.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Why do I feel exhausted when I wake up?

Alex Dimitriu, MD
Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional
Alex Dimitriu, MD is the Owner of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, a clinic based in the San Francisco Bay Area with expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy. Alex earned his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University in 2005 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Residency Program in 2010. Professionally, Alex has dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine.

Alex Dimitriu, MD

Sleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional

Expert Answer

You might be feeling exhausted because you're not getting enough sleep at night. The quality of your sleep is also important, so make sure you're sleeping in a cool, quiet, dark environment.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8
Question

I look so sleepy in the mornings! Please help.

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Please read the above information, surely you will find something that will help.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 43 Helpful 33
Question

How to stay awake during school?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Ensure you are getting 8 to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night to reduce drowsiness during the day.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 41 Helpful 31

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Make sure you're sleeping in a cool, quiet environment so you're getting better quality sleep at night.^{[14]
X
Expert Source

Alex Dimitriu, MD
Sleep Specialist

Expert Interview. 16 October 2019.}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Some experts also believe that reducing your salt intake during the day will help reduce the development of puffy eyes during the night. If you try these tricks and still have tired-looking eyes, try reducing the number of salty products you eat. Especially avoid eating salty foods late at night.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Wearing bright colors/clothes brightens your mood and people begin to match your clothing with your emotions. If you wear dark clothing, some may believe your not as awake or happy but by wearing bright colors, they assume you're awake and ready for the day!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

If you’re sleeping for long, deep hours and still feel tired and exhausted in the morning, keep in mind this probably indicates that there is something disrupting your sleep in the night and keeping it shallow. If this persists, consider seeing a sleep specialist, especially one affiliated with the National Sleep Foundation.^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0