Earlier this year, I wrote about a new night time routineI’d adopted for myself. Of course this routine has been broken and I don’t follow it religiously every single night but when I do, I still notice a difference. So, there’s something to be said for a good ol’ night time routine.
But it’s not only that – your bedding makes a huge difference as well. So sometimes, it’s good to sort the foundations out first.
So here are some things to consider adopting into your night time routine to ensure a better sleep, better well-being and to set you up for a positive start the following day:
Relaxing and winding down for the day
This is probably the most important point here. Nobody NEEDS to be go-go-go for 24 hours a day. You have enough energy for one day at a time. Remember that! And I’ve also noticed a bit of a trend in the blogging world of people, almost bragging that they were up working until 4am. STOP.
It’s not healthy. Or necessary. And it definitely doesn’t make you look cooler than the rest of us. I’ve learnt that it’s so important to get out of work mode and try and incorporate completely un-work related tasks and activities to your night time routine.
Groom before you sleep
Grooming before sleeping is important because it helps maintain personal hygiene, which is crucial for overall health. Nightly grooming routines, such as washing your face, brushing and flossing your teeth, and moisturizing, remove dirt, oil, and bacteria accumulated throughout the day, preventing skin issues and oral health problems.
Additionally, according to this professional dentist in Port Charlotte FL, these routines can promote relaxation and signal to your body that it’s time to wind down, improving the quality of your sleep. Consistent grooming also boosts self-esteem and ensures you wake up feeling fresh and clean.
Consider your lighting
Your actual environment can play a huge part in your night time routine and how effectively you can switch off and wind down for the night. Take last week and the temperature for example. How many of us got more than 4 hours of sleep over the course of 3 days of 30+ degrees (where our bedrooms were probably more like 35)?
Of course in the UK, things like that can’t be helped when the temperature is THAT high (no, America, we don’t have air con in our houses and yes, our houses are literally designed to keep heat in) but other elements can. Such as the lighting in your space.
Heals have a great range of lighting options to suit different rooms and styles. Try opting for softer lighting, rather than harsh, white light bulbs and if you’re able to install a dimmer switch then that’s an amazing option for in the evening when you don’t really want a huge light beating down on you.
And for all the interiors fans among you, a stylish pendant light can really transform a room and make it cosier, more chic and stylish or more “you”, depending on your taste. And that’s another important factor of your night time routine, is being happy with the room you’re in.
Limit your screen time
Speaking of harsh lighting… screens. I will admit that I CAN sleep after staring at screens like my phone, TV and laptop. It doesn’t make that much of an impact on me getting to sleep. But when I limit my screen time in the evening, I definitely find I stay asleep for longer before I wake up and generally get a better sleep overall.
So I won’t condemn you for checking Twitter before you go to bed. But so long as you limit it and put your phone down when enough is enough. You don’t need to be on Twitter all night. Honestly. None of us are that interesting.
Appreciation and gratitude
For your mental state of mind, it’s important to 1) not go to bed angry. And 2) go to bed with a grateful heart. It takes 30 seconds to say or think about what you’re grateful for that day. And do that every night and you’ll have adopted a really positive element of your night time routine.
There’s always something to be grateful of. Even when it doesn’t feel like it. A nice meal, a thoughtful blog comment, a walk with your dog, a yummy Yoga practice. However big or small, appreciation and gratitude go a long way.
Write tomorrow’s to-do list
I always write up my to-do list for the following day the evening before. Not usually right before I go to bed because I know I’ll be up for a while thinking of ideas and things but a couple of hours before bed. To me, writing up my following day to-do list really signifies the end of the current work day. And allows me to relax even more!