Having a morning routine is something many people have perfected, but what about your nighttime routine? How you end your day can be just as important as how it began. By making time before bed to assess our day, we are better able to identify habits that can help us wind down and get a restful night’s sleep. Below are some things to start or add to your nighttime routine.
- Wind Down an Hour Early
This is really important and something many people forget to do. If you notice that when you get into bed, you struggle with sleeping, it might be that you are not giving your body and mind enough time to relax. Depending on your situation, your body might not be able to go from boundless energy to fast asleep in a matter of minutes. To help the body prepare for sleep, especially if you suffer from racing thoughts, consider starting this routine at least an hour before you plan to go to sleep. This can be with any relaxing activities that make you feel more restful and less stressed.
- Read a Book or Write in Your Journal
When it comes to relaxing activities before bed, nothing is better than reading. Since reading often makes people feel sleepy, it is great to do it during your night routine. However, be careful about the genre of book you choose at night, as you don’t want to still be reading suspense at 3 AM. Instead of reading, you can also choose to write in a journal at night. This will help your mind relax as you write about your day or release your thoughts onto paper and set intentions for the following day. You can also use your journal to express your gratitude or follow a journal prompt.
- Turn Off Your Electronics
Now this is a tough one for you late-night Youtubers and Netflixers. Turn off any electronics that it’s absolutely necessary. Have a specific time at night when you turn off your phone or at least turn off (or silent) notifications – if safe to do so, when you close the laptop, turn off the TV, or preferably before you begin reading or writing. Electronics can get in the way of your body’s ability to wind down, especially due to blue light. So get in the habit of having to use them until you fall asleep.
- Practice Gratitude
Even if you don’t want to do actually journaling, you can get a notebook for writing down what you are grateful for each evening. This is a wonderful practice to add to your daily routine, and nighttime tends to be the best time to do it. It is when you can reflect back on your day, and assess anything or anyone you feel appreciation for. From that morning cup of coffee to someone holding a door open for you, there is always something to be grateful for.
- Set Intentions for the Next Day
Lastly, take a few minutes to set intentions for the following day. It doesn’t have to be written down, though if you have a planner that can be a great tool. Just sit and reflect on what you need to do tomorrow, then create a plan or a to-do list, along with any prep work that will be necessary before you go to bed.
Good luck and sweet dreams! 💤 #dphealer
