Many Mercy girls often find they are getting nowhere near the recommended amount of sleep for teenagers.  Although nothing is the perfect substitute for getting enough shut eye, here are a few tips to help “fake” getting those nine hours of sleep.

1. Get some UV light: First thing in the morning, open your blinds and let in the natural sunlight.  According to Joyce Walsleben, author of “A Woman’s Guide to Sleep,” natural sunlight helps reset your body’s clock, helping you feel awake all day.  Even the little bit of sun on cloudy or rainy days wakes you up more than any light bulb could.

2. Slowly drink your coffee: Instead of chugging down that cup of coffee before school, put it into a thermos and slowly drink it throughout the day.  According to the journal Sleep, people who consumed the caffeine equivalent of just 2 ounces of coffee per hour still got energy bursts, but without all the crashes.

3. Take a walk: Whenever you find yourself falling asleep during the day, take a 10-minute walk.  According to Michael Breus, author of “The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan,” that small walk can stimulate the heart, brain and muscles, waking you up again.

4. Drink water: Sleep deprivation can cause mild dehydration, which adds to fatigue.  Just drinking a little bit of water can help you feel refreshed and awake.  It’s also best to drink cold water, as it increases alertness.  Avoid warm drinks, which tends to relax you.